The night was rushed but, not once, hushed. She and him both thrived under the ticking clock, giggling. Being silly. Not looking forward because they knew a glorious night was to come and the now was something special. Two years of giggles, memories and nights just like this night. But not quite this night.
They sipped on sparkly drinks and spoke with silly, happy voices. They sung with no holding back. They looked at each other lovingly, very aware of what Hollywood-esque-love meant. Not perfect. And yet perfect. He wondered what was in store and sparkles shot up through his stomach with the knowledge that she took the time to arrange something special. He knew it would be special. Fuelled by silly love. Fuelled by happiness.
She revealed to him her dress.
Nerves shot through her body. Silly again. But not nice.
He could have clapped. He could have laughed from her sheer brilliance. He could have hugged her right there and then, taking in her scent. He chose silly. "You look beyond amazing. Pretty. Beautiful. Stunning. Gorrrrgeous."
"And you're wrong."
"None of that now. I hope you weear that every day from now on."
"You're stupid!" she insisted, grinning.
She hadn't felt good when she slipped the dress on and threw over her blazer. And then, with his honest eyes on her, she felt incredible. Honest, silly, happy eyes.
The night went slowly on and they were both oh-so-grateful for this. They missed their train and yet, no bother. She insisted for him to ssh! "I have a plan!" She giggled and he followed her lead. They ran and ran until they reached their two sparkly drinks. "I can't believe you," he said, grinning. "And yet I can."
"You're panicking, aren't you?"
"What if we miss our train again?!"
"You're predictable, sweetheart. Luckily, I'm more of a go with the wind type of girl."
His mouth widened, as did his eyes. "And go with the wind, we shall!"
Before they knew it they were back at the train station and on their train. "Where are we going?" he grinned for the millionth time and butterflies flurried through her stomach. She hoped with everything in her that it was all to go smoothly and he would adore her plans. They giggle about their running to a pub and running back again, finding the whole night completely enchanting. Magical. Silly. Happy.
To cut a long and completely lovely story short, the night was glorious. Full of sparkles and grinning. And delicious food. "You did good, girl," he brought his girlfriend towards him and she happily obliged. "You're a bit lovely, aren't you?"
"After two years, you're finally realising?"
"I mean, I've had an inkling." He took a piece of her hair and blew it with a silly smile. "I might keep you for another two years."
"Well, you might," she winked and he gasped. It might have been comical had she not been thinking that she hoped he was right. And then right again and again and again and they would soon be entwined by the most magical years of memories, silliness and happiness.
"But really, thank you for tonight. It's been simply sensational."
"You're more than welcome, silly."
~
Sparkles & Twinkles,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Showing posts with label creative writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creative writing. Show all posts
Friday, 26 August 2016
Saturday, 4 June 2016
For Her and For Him
Alan and all of his friends know he isn't one to entertain loneliness. He doesn't know anyone else who thought of it in this way- that you can ignore loneliness. Some people find it infuriating; slightly ignorant. But since his wife had died ten years before and his kids had already flown the nest and begun their adult lives, Alan made the conscious decision to make some kind of peace with lonely.
And he doesn't feel ungrateful. Not at all. His eldest who lives three hours away with his kids and lovely wife visits at least twice a month; his middle kid making it big with her writing in London calls every night; his youngest boy living some kind of bachelor life Alan doesn't need to know about is always at his table for Sunday lunch every week. And Alan visits his kids and grandkids as much as he can- offering any help he can. His family is his life. But the rest of his life is full of hours which he does fill with emptiness.
He made a promise to his wife Katrina. A promise that even if he couldn't find love again when she died that he would be happy... For her; for him.
So, every week Alan falls into a routine. A routine Alan is happy to buddy up with. As soon as the sun rises on a Monday Alan goes for a jog. Despite being careful of his ageing knees and not being nearly as fit as he was once upon a time, he finds happiness in the friendship his feet find with the field he runs around. The rest of Monday is devoted to snooker with his friends at the club. He doesn't drink much but will nurse one drink on a Monday. Tuesday is a day for gardening. Wednesday is for cooking a fancy dinner- like a dinner he would make for his wife every Wednesday when she was alive. On Thursdays Alan plays golf with his best friend Mike. On Fridays he is invited round to Mike's house every week without fail to eat dinner with him and his wife, Angie. On Saturdays he has a lie in and reads a newspaper over a fry up. He watches sport on the TV and takes a long walk. After Johnny leaves following Sunday lunch and a catch up Alan will catch a film at the local cinema or watch the sunset if the sun is to set early in the evening.
One thing that rarely changes is his evenings. He places himself on the sofa next to the ghost of his wife and he watches TV. Some might call these evenings lonely but he is just making space for Katrina to come home. He knows that she's not coming home but spending the evenings how he and his wife would brings her back to his heart. He'll sometimes do a crossword or a word search to fill the space where he and his wife would play board games. Or he'll read a book; a book like they would choose to read together. Every Saturday they'd pop into town and buy two copies of the same book and without fail they would finish it by the end of the week and chat about it on one of the evenings that followed. A promise he made her without even asking is that he would keep this tradition and tell her all about the book on his weekly visit to see her. Although he never uttered the word "grave", they both sadly knew what he was referring to.
The life he lived with her might not have been sophisticated and exciting to some but it was his favourite life. The most fulfilling life he could have ever dreamed of. Before the kids, during the kids and once the kids had all left, Alan and Katrina had a beautiful life. They adored watching them grow into the wonderful humans they truly are and cherished their grandkids with all of their hearts. And as soon as the kids left they settled into this evening routine and it excited Alan every day.
For her and for him, Alan leads a pleasant life. He could choose to feel lonely when darkness drops and there is an empty space behind him, but she really is there. With him. Every step of the way.
~
Have a lovely Saturday!
Crosswords & Board Games,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
And he doesn't feel ungrateful. Not at all. His eldest who lives three hours away with his kids and lovely wife visits at least twice a month; his middle kid making it big with her writing in London calls every night; his youngest boy living some kind of bachelor life Alan doesn't need to know about is always at his table for Sunday lunch every week. And Alan visits his kids and grandkids as much as he can- offering any help he can. His family is his life. But the rest of his life is full of hours which he does fill with emptiness.
He made a promise to his wife Katrina. A promise that even if he couldn't find love again when she died that he would be happy... For her; for him.
So, every week Alan falls into a routine. A routine Alan is happy to buddy up with. As soon as the sun rises on a Monday Alan goes for a jog. Despite being careful of his ageing knees and not being nearly as fit as he was once upon a time, he finds happiness in the friendship his feet find with the field he runs around. The rest of Monday is devoted to snooker with his friends at the club. He doesn't drink much but will nurse one drink on a Monday. Tuesday is a day for gardening. Wednesday is for cooking a fancy dinner- like a dinner he would make for his wife every Wednesday when she was alive. On Thursdays Alan plays golf with his best friend Mike. On Fridays he is invited round to Mike's house every week without fail to eat dinner with him and his wife, Angie. On Saturdays he has a lie in and reads a newspaper over a fry up. He watches sport on the TV and takes a long walk. After Johnny leaves following Sunday lunch and a catch up Alan will catch a film at the local cinema or watch the sunset if the sun is to set early in the evening.
One thing that rarely changes is his evenings. He places himself on the sofa next to the ghost of his wife and he watches TV. Some might call these evenings lonely but he is just making space for Katrina to come home. He knows that she's not coming home but spending the evenings how he and his wife would brings her back to his heart. He'll sometimes do a crossword or a word search to fill the space where he and his wife would play board games. Or he'll read a book; a book like they would choose to read together. Every Saturday they'd pop into town and buy two copies of the same book and without fail they would finish it by the end of the week and chat about it on one of the evenings that followed. A promise he made her without even asking is that he would keep this tradition and tell her all about the book on his weekly visit to see her. Although he never uttered the word "grave", they both sadly knew what he was referring to.
The life he lived with her might not have been sophisticated and exciting to some but it was his favourite life. The most fulfilling life he could have ever dreamed of. Before the kids, during the kids and once the kids had all left, Alan and Katrina had a beautiful life. They adored watching them grow into the wonderful humans they truly are and cherished their grandkids with all of their hearts. And as soon as the kids left they settled into this evening routine and it excited Alan every day.
For her and for him, Alan leads a pleasant life. He could choose to feel lonely when darkness drops and there is an empty space behind him, but she really is there. With him. Every step of the way.
~
Have a lovely Saturday!
Crosswords & Board Games,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Wednesday, 30 March 2016
Numb
She immediately remembers what sleep helped her to forget, as soon as she opens her eyes to the new spring air around her. She falls into her duvet; further and further. She squeezes her eyes shut too hard. She wants to sleep. She doesn't want to sleep. She's surprised to find herself enjoying the feeling of security her duvet is giving her. If it wasn't for that feeling she would assume her whole body has gone numb.
Numb.
She's never felt numb before. Not until the day before. Before then she didn't really know of the feeling. She wouldn't have been able to describe it, for sure. "It's for the best," he said. She wanted to scream that it couldn't be- how could it be for the best? But her body wasn't responding how it had been for the last sixteen years. She was stuck. Trapped. In the most amount of pain she'd ever experienced. And also the least amount of pain. Numb.
She hears moving about outside her bedroom door and she immediately finds rescue in her pillow. She closes her eyes and tries to breathe steadily. Asleep. Pretend to be asleep. "Honey?" her mother quietly disturbs the threatening silence in her room. She assumes her mother is looking at her. Sad. Worried. She continues to pretend to sleep and after a few minutes she leaves.
She lets out a big breath and feels instantly lighter. And then her chest feels tight. Was she supposed to avoid everyone for ever?
She argues with herself for a few moments. She begs herself not to look. She always knew it was a pointless struggle. She opens up pictures of her and him. Her and him. Numb. It's back.
She stares at her favourite photograph. It isn't the best quality and yet it represents one of her happiest nights. He took her out for dinner. Like a princess. That's how she felt. She is smiling in the picture. The happiest smile in the world. Until you see his. Maybe his is the happiest smile. He told her he is the luckiest boy alive that night. Despite the wars she has with herself, she believed him.
She believed everything.
Numb. She is becoming more numb. Is that possible? To become more numb doesn't make much sense, and yet she was feeling herself falling into more and more numbness.
She begs herself not to and she does anyway. With her thumb she strokes the happiest, loveliest face. "No," she whimpers and allows herself to fall into her tears. She loses grip of her phone. She cries. And cries. She cries until her mother runs in, hugs her and she wails. Numb. Numb.
~
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Hope & Future,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I have managed to nearly catch myself up! I am blogging twice every day this month and have one more to write today before the last day tomorrow! You can read my last post HERE!
Numb.
She's never felt numb before. Not until the day before. Before then she didn't really know of the feeling. She wouldn't have been able to describe it, for sure. "It's for the best," he said. She wanted to scream that it couldn't be- how could it be for the best? But her body wasn't responding how it had been for the last sixteen years. She was stuck. Trapped. In the most amount of pain she'd ever experienced. And also the least amount of pain. Numb.
She hears moving about outside her bedroom door and she immediately finds rescue in her pillow. She closes her eyes and tries to breathe steadily. Asleep. Pretend to be asleep. "Honey?" her mother quietly disturbs the threatening silence in her room. She assumes her mother is looking at her. Sad. Worried. She continues to pretend to sleep and after a few minutes she leaves.
She lets out a big breath and feels instantly lighter. And then her chest feels tight. Was she supposed to avoid everyone for ever?
She argues with herself for a few moments. She begs herself not to look. She always knew it was a pointless struggle. She opens up pictures of her and him. Her and him. Numb. It's back.
She stares at her favourite photograph. It isn't the best quality and yet it represents one of her happiest nights. He took her out for dinner. Like a princess. That's how she felt. She is smiling in the picture. The happiest smile in the world. Until you see his. Maybe his is the happiest smile. He told her he is the luckiest boy alive that night. Despite the wars she has with herself, she believed him.
She believed everything.
Numb. She is becoming more numb. Is that possible? To become more numb doesn't make much sense, and yet she was feeling herself falling into more and more numbness.
She begs herself not to and she does anyway. With her thumb she strokes the happiest, loveliest face. "No," she whimpers and allows herself to fall into her tears. She loses grip of her phone. She cries. And cries. She cries until her mother runs in, hugs her and she wails. Numb. Numb.
~
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Hope & Future,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I have managed to nearly catch myself up! I am blogging twice every day this month and have one more to write today before the last day tomorrow! You can read my last post HERE!
Friday, 25 March 2016
The Comic Book Shop
Bella never intended to fall in love with another man. She never wanted it- never thought she needed another man. Since she was five years old she vowed she would only ever love one. Robbie Hayman- the Hollywood actor who came from the village she was born in. Her favourite place in the world. But she'd move to Hollywood if Robbie asked. It would be hard, Bella realised when she was ten, but she would do it. For him.
She was eighteen when it happened. She was in her favourite comic book store. It didn't stock a lot but it was compact and unique and that's how Bella liked to view herself. She was stroking the next issue of her favourite series when she heard a cough to signal someone announcing their presence from behind her. Only, when she turned, she realised he wasn't announcing himself to her. She didn't know, before turning around, that she'd care about this technicality but when she watched a brief encounter, she realised quickly she was intrigued by the new employee.
After a woman carrying a bag of groceries heard the cough to announce his presence, the employee, awkwardly but happily grinned, "Hi. Sorry to intrude! You seem confused and uncomfortable in this shop. You wouldn't be buying a present for someone else by any chance would you?"
"My goodness, I'm so glad you've saved me! I simply don't know what I'm doing."
"Tell me about the present-receiver; I might just be able to help."
They wandered off towards the counter and Bella found it hard to look away. But she did. She put the comic back and headed out of the shop.
Bella felt frustrated. The comic book shop was the place she found it easiest to be herself. Now she felt a little angry. This new employee was dorky, sweet-looking with a gentle way. The opposite of Robbie Hayman and Bella found herself supressing the thought that said; better than Robbie Hayman.
Bella didn't go back to the shop for a few weeks but she started to miss it so much her heart was a little achy. So, she headed down on a Wednesday afternoon after sixth form and her friends headed in another direction. She went down on a Saturday the time before so she figured he might not be there that Wednesday. All the figuring in the world would not have told her that he actually was, in fact, working that Wednesday.
Bella found out as soon as she stepped in.
Well this just wouldn't do. This was going to ruin her comic book experience. Her friends called her dorky but they found it endearing. It wasn't a trait she was willing to give up. She loved her comics- they were her best friends. It was the only thing she spent a lot of money on. She took a breath and headed to the back of the shop, quietly saying hello back to the new guy when he happily said "Hello!"
Bella, despite the butterflies in her belly, kept going back, like she normally would. Sometimes the new guy was working, some times he wasn't. That's when she felt most relaxed. Until, one day, he wasn't working and yet when she turned around she saw him browsing at the front. Bella cringed. She tried to head out quickly but he saw her, "Hey!"
Bella turned slightly, apprehensive. "Hey!" Bella felt silly. Bella was known for being quite happy-go-lucky. People found her crush on Robbie Hayman adorable and she loved playing up to peoples' expectations and joking about her future with him. And yet Bella felt like she wasn't herself in the presence of this comic book guy. She felt nervous.
"I've seen you about a lot! You buy the good stuff."
"Of course; I wouldn't have it any other way.
Comic book guy laughed. "We don't get many of your sort in here."
Intrigued, Bella felt herself laugh, "My sort?"
"The female kind. You're our only regular one!"
"At least I'm doing my sort proud and getting the good stuff!"
"Why is it we are a no-go area for your sort, in general?"
"I dunno. It's sad. Comics are some of my most prized possessions. My sort are most certainly missing out. You should create a campaign to get more females in comic book shops."
"We definitely should!"
"Don't sound too excited comic book guy!" Bella's confidence was coming back.
"Oh I didn't mean it like that."
Bella giggled to show she was joking and he blushed a little. It was all very endearing. "Do you think it sucks there aren't more of my sort interested in comics?"
"I do! I really do. They're so easy to get lost into. They might be some of the most unbelievable stories to some but I definitely feel it's real when I'm reading." Comic book guy paused. "What with all of the rubbish your sort get in this world, it would definitely be awesome to get your sort in more. Then we might also get more female superheroes."
"Now there's a very good thought. We are all superheroes in our own right anyway."
"You certainly are." Comic book boy caught Bella's eyes and she felt herself keeping this eye contact. He was smiling. He was lovely. He was a boy and the loveliest one she had ever met. She was looking at her in the sweetest way.
"I guess I'd like to be a superhero. A super powerful one. And I'd show the world that powerful women are an asset to the world. They're not scary; they're smart and awesome and allowed to be strong."
"I think that sounds like the best superhero."
"You can be my sidekick if you like. I like you."
Comic book boy laughed but seemed delighted, "I would love that. Maybe we could discuss this another time? We need a plan."
"On... like a date?"
"I mean, maybe. If you'd like that."
"Let me use my superpowers to find out your name."
"Ah, of course! Go for it!"
"I'm sensing a five letter name."
Comic book boy seemed surprised and impressed. "Yes!"
"Begins with an A?"
"What? Are you actually a superhero?"
"All women are superheroes, Aaron."
Aaron was dumbfounded. Bella turned away and headed towards the door, grinning a little. As she reached the door Aaron laughed, amazed at himself. "Hey, you don't have a name badge!"
"You best do some guessing then! I'll meet you here after your Saturday shift? Six o'clock?"
"See you then stranger!" Aaron grinned and Bella felt her heart grinning; her lips grinning; her everything grinning.
Bella waved an imaginary cape and grinned, "You can call me Comic Book Girl."
~
Have a lovely Bank Holiday!
Women & Capes,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I am blogging twice every day this month and you can read my last post HERE!
She was eighteen when it happened. She was in her favourite comic book store. It didn't stock a lot but it was compact and unique and that's how Bella liked to view herself. She was stroking the next issue of her favourite series when she heard a cough to signal someone announcing their presence from behind her. Only, when she turned, she realised he wasn't announcing himself to her. She didn't know, before turning around, that she'd care about this technicality but when she watched a brief encounter, she realised quickly she was intrigued by the new employee.
After a woman carrying a bag of groceries heard the cough to announce his presence, the employee, awkwardly but happily grinned, "Hi. Sorry to intrude! You seem confused and uncomfortable in this shop. You wouldn't be buying a present for someone else by any chance would you?"
"My goodness, I'm so glad you've saved me! I simply don't know what I'm doing."
"Tell me about the present-receiver; I might just be able to help."
They wandered off towards the counter and Bella found it hard to look away. But she did. She put the comic back and headed out of the shop.
Bella felt frustrated. The comic book shop was the place she found it easiest to be herself. Now she felt a little angry. This new employee was dorky, sweet-looking with a gentle way. The opposite of Robbie Hayman and Bella found herself supressing the thought that said; better than Robbie Hayman.
Bella didn't go back to the shop for a few weeks but she started to miss it so much her heart was a little achy. So, she headed down on a Wednesday afternoon after sixth form and her friends headed in another direction. She went down on a Saturday the time before so she figured he might not be there that Wednesday. All the figuring in the world would not have told her that he actually was, in fact, working that Wednesday.
Bella found out as soon as she stepped in.
Well this just wouldn't do. This was going to ruin her comic book experience. Her friends called her dorky but they found it endearing. It wasn't a trait she was willing to give up. She loved her comics- they were her best friends. It was the only thing she spent a lot of money on. She took a breath and headed to the back of the shop, quietly saying hello back to the new guy when he happily said "Hello!"
Bella, despite the butterflies in her belly, kept going back, like she normally would. Sometimes the new guy was working, some times he wasn't. That's when she felt most relaxed. Until, one day, he wasn't working and yet when she turned around she saw him browsing at the front. Bella cringed. She tried to head out quickly but he saw her, "Hey!"
Bella turned slightly, apprehensive. "Hey!" Bella felt silly. Bella was known for being quite happy-go-lucky. People found her crush on Robbie Hayman adorable and she loved playing up to peoples' expectations and joking about her future with him. And yet Bella felt like she wasn't herself in the presence of this comic book guy. She felt nervous.
"I've seen you about a lot! You buy the good stuff."
"Of course; I wouldn't have it any other way.
Comic book guy laughed. "We don't get many of your sort in here."
Intrigued, Bella felt herself laugh, "My sort?"
"The female kind. You're our only regular one!"
"At least I'm doing my sort proud and getting the good stuff!"
"Why is it we are a no-go area for your sort, in general?"
"I dunno. It's sad. Comics are some of my most prized possessions. My sort are most certainly missing out. You should create a campaign to get more females in comic book shops."
"We definitely should!"
"Don't sound too excited comic book guy!" Bella's confidence was coming back.
"Oh I didn't mean it like that."
Bella giggled to show she was joking and he blushed a little. It was all very endearing. "Do you think it sucks there aren't more of my sort interested in comics?"
"I do! I really do. They're so easy to get lost into. They might be some of the most unbelievable stories to some but I definitely feel it's real when I'm reading." Comic book guy paused. "What with all of the rubbish your sort get in this world, it would definitely be awesome to get your sort in more. Then we might also get more female superheroes."
"Now there's a very good thought. We are all superheroes in our own right anyway."
"You certainly are." Comic book boy caught Bella's eyes and she felt herself keeping this eye contact. He was smiling. He was lovely. He was a boy and the loveliest one she had ever met. She was looking at her in the sweetest way.
"I guess I'd like to be a superhero. A super powerful one. And I'd show the world that powerful women are an asset to the world. They're not scary; they're smart and awesome and allowed to be strong."
"I think that sounds like the best superhero."
"You can be my sidekick if you like. I like you."
Comic book boy laughed but seemed delighted, "I would love that. Maybe we could discuss this another time? We need a plan."
"On... like a date?"
"I mean, maybe. If you'd like that."
"Let me use my superpowers to find out your name."
"Ah, of course! Go for it!"
"I'm sensing a five letter name."
Comic book boy seemed surprised and impressed. "Yes!"
"Begins with an A?"
"What? Are you actually a superhero?"
"All women are superheroes, Aaron."
Aaron was dumbfounded. Bella turned away and headed towards the door, grinning a little. As she reached the door Aaron laughed, amazed at himself. "Hey, you don't have a name badge!"
"You best do some guessing then! I'll meet you here after your Saturday shift? Six o'clock?"
"See you then stranger!" Aaron grinned and Bella felt her heart grinning; her lips grinning; her everything grinning.
Bella waved an imaginary cape and grinned, "You can call me Comic Book Girl."
~
Have a lovely Bank Holiday!
Women & Capes,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I am blogging twice every day this month and you can read my last post HERE!
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
A Sweet Fall
Steph, aware of her tongue poking out, concentrates on the final touch to the cake she has made for her best friend's daughter's first birthday. Steph has had the busiest year and Carly, her best friend, insisted she didn't need to make a cake- "Baby Ellie won't remember it anyway!" After the third time she said this Steph nodded but there was never any chance she wasn't making Ellie the cutest cake to mark her first year in this world being completed.
She kept it simple with a Victoria sponge but made the icing yellow as Ellie points to everything yellow when they're out and about. Steph covered the whole cake in this yellow icing and then made pink, white and blue circles of icing to decorate the top. It was all very simple but very effective, Steph thought.
Steph takes a step backwards and snaps a shot to put up to her company's Facebook page. Steph owns a successful small business where she makes cakes for any celebration or event. It is mainly through her Facebook page where traffic comes in, but word of mouth does the trick too. Today is her only day off for a week or so and so Steph takes a step onto her balcony.
It's early May and only ten o'clock in the morning. The party doesn't start until midday and Steph is adoring the feeling of sun on her skin. It's already warm and Steph grins at how perfect the weather is for her best friend's first party hosted for her little princess. She just knows she'll be delighted.
Steph finally allows her thoughts to travel back to her embarrassing morning. She takes a sip of her coffee and leans back on her chair. She woke up at six, ready to face the day with a run. She slipped on her running clothes and, yawning, filled her bottle up with water. As soon as she stepped into the morning Steph knew she couldn't regret the decision to get up so early. Although it was chilly, it was clear the forecast was going to prove to be right- today was to be a deliciously warm day.
Steph ran into her second mile and realised she was struggling. She breathed in a deep breath and focussed her eyes ahead of her. This day was too nice to struggle. Her motivation pushed her forward and kept doing so until it pushed her forward into a man walking round the same corner she was running round. She fell comically to the floor and cringed as she realised she didn't close her bottle properly and it spilled over the man's trousers. "I'm so sorry!" she almost squealed.
"Hey, it's okay! Do you need a hand?"
Steph pulled herself off of the ground and stumbled upwards. "No I'm cool thank you!" Steph almost giggled as she saw the man's prettily carved face.
"You've hurt your knee- you sure you're okay?"
"Ooooh!" Steph looked down to her knee and she was shocked to see so much blood and immediately felt queasy. "I'm just going to sit down!" Steph is sure she said this a little too loudly and she awkwardly planted herself on the side of the grass. "Sorry for bumping into you again but I'm fine!"
"Wait, I've got some water in my bag."
"Also on your trousers," Steph found her joke too funny and realises immediately she wasn't feeling great.
The man laughed and passed her the water, "Thank you stranger but I don't fancy a drink." The man laughed but insisted all the same, "Sip it. It'll do you a lot of good. Are you feeling dizzy?"
"I am. Only a little."
The man pulled a first aid kit out of his bag and Steph can't help but giggle, "I'm very grateful and all but why have you to that in your bag." Then, her eyes narrowed, "Did you plan on tripping me up?"
The man's eyes widened, "No!"
Suddenly embarrassed Steph stopped talking while he cleaned up her cut gently, apologising when she winced a little bit. "It's all cleared up. How are you feeling?"
Steph shrugged, "Much better."
"I'm glad." Not sure what to do next the man swayed a little on the spot. Steph found it difficult not to look at him but everything in her forced her eyes to the ground. Feeling better, humiliation washes over her and she got to her feet, unsteady at first but fine in the end. "Thank you for your help," she muttered and turned around, and while he insisted that it's all right and she should slow down, Steph kept limping home and finally let her cheeks flush red when she was in the safety of her own home.
Now, on the balcony, Steph cringes for the hundredth time. The man did nothing but help her and she just walked off. Lifting her body up shamefully, Steph took off her apron and got ready for the party. At least if that morning wasn't the end of her humiliating herself she would get to do so again in front of friends.
Just after midday friends file into Carly's house and Carly and her husband, Jeff greet them happily, thankful for their gifts and kind messages. Steph keeps the kids entertained in the garden, thinking up new games when they get bored. She goes to the toilet and grins at her new red dress, knowing it'll be a while before she's dressed up again. The party has the loveliest summery atmosphere and she feels happy to be in everyone's presence. She's happy for a sunny day off.
As she steps back into the garden, Carly calls her name, "The cake looks amazing Steph! You're a star! I can't believe you!"
"Oh don't be silly! I loved making it!"
"Well thank you." Steph surveys the area and the happiness until her eyes stop on the man she collided with that morning. "Carly," she almost whispers.
"Steph, are you okay?" Carly sounds concerned and Steph thinks, she should be concerned; this is a disaster! Carly obviously follows Steph's eyes and she giggles, "Oh that's lovely Sam!"
Steph flushes red immediately and Carly laughs until Steph's eyes are so wide she's confused again. "Steph, what's up?"
"I know Sam!"
"You do?!"
"Well, no. I mean kind of."
"You mean you wish you knew him," she giggles. "You two would look amazing together, actually. Why haven't I thought of this already? He's Jeff's friend from work. He's amazing apparently. He's the new boss but he's very kind. And very talented. And he's so lovely. He-"
Steph ignores her best friend and is thankful when Ellie starts to cry and Carly rushes off to make her a giggly birthday princess again. Steph simply doesn't know what to do but her fears are answered when Sam turns and sees her. Oh no. He seems confused until his facial expression softens and he seems almost happy. Steph turns back into the sun and busies herself with a child claiming to be hungry. She steers him to the buffet of bits of food and she cringes at the tap on her shoulder.
The boy runs off as soon as he has a handful of food and Steph curses him for not staying loyal to the woman who fed her when he needed it. She turns and fakes a smile, "Hey! So, this is odd that you're here!"
"Well, not really. Carly's my best friend! Ellie's my favourite kid. Jeff's all right as well," despite herself she grins at her comment.
He laughs. "And I was wondering how I'd ever find out that you were okay!"
"Oh Sam, I need you!" Carly's voice comes from behind. "Jeff and I have both tried but Ellie just won't smile!"
Apparently Sam is some kind of child whisperer and almost as soon as he takes her in his arms, she grins again. He makes silly faces and she's giggling again. "You're the birthday girl, little Ellie Jelly. We need you to always be smiling." It's like Ellie understands exactly what he's saying and Steph could have sworn she nodded.
Steph ignored the feeling in her stomach that is making her a little jealous- Steph is Ellie's favourite "non-family" person. She cringes at the realisation that she likes watching Sam with Ellie. Conscious of Carly watching her and sure she's already told Jeff she has some kind of crush on this Sam guy, Steph goes to turn away but Sam's voice cuts the air.
"This one here nearly knocked me off of my feet this morning."
Damn.
"She did what?" Carly's voice doesn't even hide her surprise and it most certainly doesn't hide her laughter.
"She was running around the corner I was walking around and bam, there she was! Although I have to say she did fall at my feet."
"Oh, who doesn't?" Jeff jokes and Steph doesn't like where this is heading. "Although Steph is normally harder to please."
"Is she now?" Steph catches Sam's eyes and she sees that he has won a little victory at learning her name.
"I can't say I normally bump into anyone but dog walkers so early in the morning. It's actually kind of creepy- a man up and about at six o'clock in the morning, without a dog."
"Oh, Steph, this one is like you," Jeff laughs.
"Like me?"
"Active and stuff. I'd hate him for his fitness but he's so damn charming."
Steph rolls her eyes but she sees Sam is embarrassed by the comments and her stomach flips. "I just finished my run actually!"
"You were? And do you make a habit of patching up girls, what with your emergency first aid kit being handy?"
"He patched you up?!" Carly squeals.
"He's got to keep his back strong with a full rucksack now, hasn't he?" Jeff would seem resentful if he wasn't playfully punching Sam's arms.
"Unfortunately we can't stick around for all of this cuteness," Carly says and Steph suddenly hates her best friend. "Because if we did, you might not turn out to be the cutest couple I can see you will be. Come on, husband. Steph couldn't go any redder if I tried."
Despite herself Steph actually laughs. Sam looks down so as not to acknowledge the comment. "I'm glad I've seen you're okay, you know."
"Thank you Sam. I think I'd have been a lot worse off this morning if you weren't there to help."
"And yet, if I wasn't there, you wouldn't have hurt yourself in the first place."
"Well there's food for thought."
"Your knee looks lovely in that dress, you know."
Steph laughs. Properly laughs. For the first time in for ever. "Why thank you. I've only dreamed of fit men saying such a thing to me."
He gasps, "No one's ever told you that before?"
"Never."
"Why, you should be told every day!"
It might be the sun that possesses Steph to say what she does next but she has a feeling she might thank herself for it, "Maybe if I can grab your number you might just get another opportunity to see these knees all dressed up."
"Well now there is some food for thought."
Steph grins as Sam runs off to the arty table for the kids and stays there for a couple of minutes. He runs back and hands her a scrap piece of green paper with a series of numbers written on it with a pink glitter pen. In the corner it says, "Hopefully you won't fall over the next time I see you."
~
Sunny & Happy,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I'm blogging twice every day this month and you can read my last post HERE!
She kept it simple with a Victoria sponge but made the icing yellow as Ellie points to everything yellow when they're out and about. Steph covered the whole cake in this yellow icing and then made pink, white and blue circles of icing to decorate the top. It was all very simple but very effective, Steph thought.
Steph takes a step backwards and snaps a shot to put up to her company's Facebook page. Steph owns a successful small business where she makes cakes for any celebration or event. It is mainly through her Facebook page where traffic comes in, but word of mouth does the trick too. Today is her only day off for a week or so and so Steph takes a step onto her balcony.
It's early May and only ten o'clock in the morning. The party doesn't start until midday and Steph is adoring the feeling of sun on her skin. It's already warm and Steph grins at how perfect the weather is for her best friend's first party hosted for her little princess. She just knows she'll be delighted.
Steph finally allows her thoughts to travel back to her embarrassing morning. She takes a sip of her coffee and leans back on her chair. She woke up at six, ready to face the day with a run. She slipped on her running clothes and, yawning, filled her bottle up with water. As soon as she stepped into the morning Steph knew she couldn't regret the decision to get up so early. Although it was chilly, it was clear the forecast was going to prove to be right- today was to be a deliciously warm day.
Steph ran into her second mile and realised she was struggling. She breathed in a deep breath and focussed her eyes ahead of her. This day was too nice to struggle. Her motivation pushed her forward and kept doing so until it pushed her forward into a man walking round the same corner she was running round. She fell comically to the floor and cringed as she realised she didn't close her bottle properly and it spilled over the man's trousers. "I'm so sorry!" she almost squealed.
"Hey, it's okay! Do you need a hand?"
Steph pulled herself off of the ground and stumbled upwards. "No I'm cool thank you!" Steph almost giggled as she saw the man's prettily carved face.
"You've hurt your knee- you sure you're okay?"
"Ooooh!" Steph looked down to her knee and she was shocked to see so much blood and immediately felt queasy. "I'm just going to sit down!" Steph is sure she said this a little too loudly and she awkwardly planted herself on the side of the grass. "Sorry for bumping into you again but I'm fine!"
"Wait, I've got some water in my bag."
"Also on your trousers," Steph found her joke too funny and realises immediately she wasn't feeling great.
The man laughed and passed her the water, "Thank you stranger but I don't fancy a drink." The man laughed but insisted all the same, "Sip it. It'll do you a lot of good. Are you feeling dizzy?"
"I am. Only a little."
The man pulled a first aid kit out of his bag and Steph can't help but giggle, "I'm very grateful and all but why have you to that in your bag." Then, her eyes narrowed, "Did you plan on tripping me up?"
The man's eyes widened, "No!"
Suddenly embarrassed Steph stopped talking while he cleaned up her cut gently, apologising when she winced a little bit. "It's all cleared up. How are you feeling?"
Steph shrugged, "Much better."
"I'm glad." Not sure what to do next the man swayed a little on the spot. Steph found it difficult not to look at him but everything in her forced her eyes to the ground. Feeling better, humiliation washes over her and she got to her feet, unsteady at first but fine in the end. "Thank you for your help," she muttered and turned around, and while he insisted that it's all right and she should slow down, Steph kept limping home and finally let her cheeks flush red when she was in the safety of her own home.
Now, on the balcony, Steph cringes for the hundredth time. The man did nothing but help her and she just walked off. Lifting her body up shamefully, Steph took off her apron and got ready for the party. At least if that morning wasn't the end of her humiliating herself she would get to do so again in front of friends.
Just after midday friends file into Carly's house and Carly and her husband, Jeff greet them happily, thankful for their gifts and kind messages. Steph keeps the kids entertained in the garden, thinking up new games when they get bored. She goes to the toilet and grins at her new red dress, knowing it'll be a while before she's dressed up again. The party has the loveliest summery atmosphere and she feels happy to be in everyone's presence. She's happy for a sunny day off.
As she steps back into the garden, Carly calls her name, "The cake looks amazing Steph! You're a star! I can't believe you!"
"Oh don't be silly! I loved making it!"
"Well thank you." Steph surveys the area and the happiness until her eyes stop on the man she collided with that morning. "Carly," she almost whispers.
"Steph, are you okay?" Carly sounds concerned and Steph thinks, she should be concerned; this is a disaster! Carly obviously follows Steph's eyes and she giggles, "Oh that's lovely Sam!"
Steph flushes red immediately and Carly laughs until Steph's eyes are so wide she's confused again. "Steph, what's up?"
"I know Sam!"
"You do?!"
"Well, no. I mean kind of."
"You mean you wish you knew him," she giggles. "You two would look amazing together, actually. Why haven't I thought of this already? He's Jeff's friend from work. He's amazing apparently. He's the new boss but he's very kind. And very talented. And he's so lovely. He-"
Steph ignores her best friend and is thankful when Ellie starts to cry and Carly rushes off to make her a giggly birthday princess again. Steph simply doesn't know what to do but her fears are answered when Sam turns and sees her. Oh no. He seems confused until his facial expression softens and he seems almost happy. Steph turns back into the sun and busies herself with a child claiming to be hungry. She steers him to the buffet of bits of food and she cringes at the tap on her shoulder.
The boy runs off as soon as he has a handful of food and Steph curses him for not staying loyal to the woman who fed her when he needed it. She turns and fakes a smile, "Hey! So, this is odd that you're here!"
"Well, not really. Carly's my best friend! Ellie's my favourite kid. Jeff's all right as well," despite herself she grins at her comment.
He laughs. "And I was wondering how I'd ever find out that you were okay!"
"Oh Sam, I need you!" Carly's voice comes from behind. "Jeff and I have both tried but Ellie just won't smile!"
Apparently Sam is some kind of child whisperer and almost as soon as he takes her in his arms, she grins again. He makes silly faces and she's giggling again. "You're the birthday girl, little Ellie Jelly. We need you to always be smiling." It's like Ellie understands exactly what he's saying and Steph could have sworn she nodded.
Steph ignored the feeling in her stomach that is making her a little jealous- Steph is Ellie's favourite "non-family" person. She cringes at the realisation that she likes watching Sam with Ellie. Conscious of Carly watching her and sure she's already told Jeff she has some kind of crush on this Sam guy, Steph goes to turn away but Sam's voice cuts the air.
"This one here nearly knocked me off of my feet this morning."
Damn.
"She did what?" Carly's voice doesn't even hide her surprise and it most certainly doesn't hide her laughter.
"She was running around the corner I was walking around and bam, there she was! Although I have to say she did fall at my feet."
"Oh, who doesn't?" Jeff jokes and Steph doesn't like where this is heading. "Although Steph is normally harder to please."
"Is she now?" Steph catches Sam's eyes and she sees that he has won a little victory at learning her name.
"I can't say I normally bump into anyone but dog walkers so early in the morning. It's actually kind of creepy- a man up and about at six o'clock in the morning, without a dog."
"Oh, Steph, this one is like you," Jeff laughs.
"Like me?"
"Active and stuff. I'd hate him for his fitness but he's so damn charming."
Steph rolls her eyes but she sees Sam is embarrassed by the comments and her stomach flips. "I just finished my run actually!"
"You were? And do you make a habit of patching up girls, what with your emergency first aid kit being handy?"
"He patched you up?!" Carly squeals.
"He's got to keep his back strong with a full rucksack now, hasn't he?" Jeff would seem resentful if he wasn't playfully punching Sam's arms.
"Unfortunately we can't stick around for all of this cuteness," Carly says and Steph suddenly hates her best friend. "Because if we did, you might not turn out to be the cutest couple I can see you will be. Come on, husband. Steph couldn't go any redder if I tried."
Despite herself Steph actually laughs. Sam looks down so as not to acknowledge the comment. "I'm glad I've seen you're okay, you know."
"Thank you Sam. I think I'd have been a lot worse off this morning if you weren't there to help."
"And yet, if I wasn't there, you wouldn't have hurt yourself in the first place."
"Well there's food for thought."
"Your knee looks lovely in that dress, you know."
Steph laughs. Properly laughs. For the first time in for ever. "Why thank you. I've only dreamed of fit men saying such a thing to me."
He gasps, "No one's ever told you that before?"
"Never."
"Why, you should be told every day!"
It might be the sun that possesses Steph to say what she does next but she has a feeling she might thank herself for it, "Maybe if I can grab your number you might just get another opportunity to see these knees all dressed up."
"Well now there is some food for thought."
Steph grins as Sam runs off to the arty table for the kids and stays there for a couple of minutes. He runs back and hands her a scrap piece of green paper with a series of numbers written on it with a pink glitter pen. In the corner it says, "Hopefully you won't fall over the next time I see you."
~
Sunny & Happy,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I'm blogging twice every day this month and you can read my last post HERE!
Thursday, 10 March 2016
A Polaroid Picture
Kelly closed her book, put it to one side and stretched her legs out in front of her. It was a cold day but when you sat in just the right place the promise of summer warmed you. There was a bench next to her but she chose a patch of grass since it hadn't rained recently. She was over half way into her book and she was enjoying every word printed on every pretty page. Sometimes when she read a book as good as this one she wanted to last it way longer than the rest. And so, after putting her book to one side she watched the lake sing its song.
It danced slowly, as if the waves were meeting up with long lost friends, enjoying every second of being back together again. A boy leant down and touched the top of it with his finger and giggled. "It's cold mummy!" he squealed and his mother looked at him, proud. Happy. Kelly grinned to herself and took a bite into her apple.
She found strength in this time of year. Soon it would be warm, but for just a little while longer we'll live with this chill that reminded us to stay grounded. Kelly felt grounded. Her photography business was really getting somewhere and she reminded herself every day to stay thankful. Stay motivated.
Just the day before she worked for a lovely lady's wedding. At fifty Joy never thought she was going to find true love. And then her sweet Sammy walked into her life and she thanked her lucky stars every day. After she survived a long battle with cancer, she made a promise to herself that she would make every day her own. Her best.
It took everything Kelly had not to jump with joy when the two of them said "I do" the day before. She remained focussed and took shots she knew Joy and Sammy would adore. She just couldn't wait to have them all sorted and meet up for lunch with them in a week or so. She lived for that smile her customers gave her. Happy. Really happy.
It was afternoons like this that Kelly was able to reflect on how busy the last year had been. How awesome it had been. She took a few photos of the sky; the trees; the lake. She pulled out her polaroid and turned to the mother and her son. She took a snap and sighed. They just oozed beauty. So happy with each other's company. Kelly gathered her stuff and walked to the mother and son. "Hiya," she smiled warmly.
Confused but pleasant, the mother smiled, "Hello?"
"I'm sorry to intrude and I'm sorry if I've overstepped the line, but you and your son looked so lovely. I hope you don't mind; I took this." The woman seemed less confuse and began to smile as Kelly shook the polaroid. She had a quick look herself- her mother grinning at her son as he stood with his arms spread in the air. She passed the picture to the woman, "Be careful not to smudge it. That's happiness to treasure."
"Who is she mummy?" the boy asked happily.
"She's our little Thursday Guardian Angel, lovely."
Kelly laughed and the woman thanked her, "This has made my day."
Kelly knew she couldn't always do things like this. And it wasn't an often occurrence. It was never enough to apologise for taking a snap of someone and simply expect "sorry if I overstepped" to be a good enough justification.
Kelly thought back to when she was young; before her dad died. He took her hand and said, "You must promise me you make memories and make them last through photographs. Better never stop experiencing them, Kelly-Jelly."
"I promise."
~
Books & Lakes,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. HERE is my last post!
It danced slowly, as if the waves were meeting up with long lost friends, enjoying every second of being back together again. A boy leant down and touched the top of it with his finger and giggled. "It's cold mummy!" he squealed and his mother looked at him, proud. Happy. Kelly grinned to herself and took a bite into her apple.
She found strength in this time of year. Soon it would be warm, but for just a little while longer we'll live with this chill that reminded us to stay grounded. Kelly felt grounded. Her photography business was really getting somewhere and she reminded herself every day to stay thankful. Stay motivated.
Just the day before she worked for a lovely lady's wedding. At fifty Joy never thought she was going to find true love. And then her sweet Sammy walked into her life and she thanked her lucky stars every day. After she survived a long battle with cancer, she made a promise to herself that she would make every day her own. Her best.
It took everything Kelly had not to jump with joy when the two of them said "I do" the day before. She remained focussed and took shots she knew Joy and Sammy would adore. She just couldn't wait to have them all sorted and meet up for lunch with them in a week or so. She lived for that smile her customers gave her. Happy. Really happy.
It was afternoons like this that Kelly was able to reflect on how busy the last year had been. How awesome it had been. She took a few photos of the sky; the trees; the lake. She pulled out her polaroid and turned to the mother and her son. She took a snap and sighed. They just oozed beauty. So happy with each other's company. Kelly gathered her stuff and walked to the mother and son. "Hiya," she smiled warmly.
Confused but pleasant, the mother smiled, "Hello?"
"I'm sorry to intrude and I'm sorry if I've overstepped the line, but you and your son looked so lovely. I hope you don't mind; I took this." The woman seemed less confuse and began to smile as Kelly shook the polaroid. She had a quick look herself- her mother grinning at her son as he stood with his arms spread in the air. She passed the picture to the woman, "Be careful not to smudge it. That's happiness to treasure."
"Who is she mummy?" the boy asked happily.
"She's our little Thursday Guardian Angel, lovely."
Kelly laughed and the woman thanked her, "This has made my day."
Kelly knew she couldn't always do things like this. And it wasn't an often occurrence. It was never enough to apologise for taking a snap of someone and simply expect "sorry if I overstepped" to be a good enough justification.
Kelly thought back to when she was young; before her dad died. He took her hand and said, "You must promise me you make memories and make them last through photographs. Better never stop experiencing them, Kelly-Jelly."
"I promise."
~
Books & Lakes,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. HERE is my last post!
Friday, 4 March 2016
The New Episode
Deb holds out her arms and cradles her baby for the first time. She falls in love instantly, her eyes bursting with pride. The last couple of months of her pregnancy with baby Andrew were absolute hell after her husband, Andy died in a car accident. The last thing he said to a woman who helped out was, "Tell Deb I love her and the baby and she can do this. She can do this."
As Deb looks into Andrew's eyes and repeats this in her head, she knows her grief has to wait. For this baby boy. To make Andy the proudest daddy and husband.
Her and Andrew's family have been devastated but have been putting a brave face on for Deb. For the baby. For Andy. Sometimes it was what she needed; sometimes she just needed to be at her and her husband's home. She didn't find it morbid; she found it helped. She would watch the shows they would watch- no new episodes; just the ones they'd seen before.
Deb remembers the phone call she received to tell her husband was in a coma. She stayed calm. She knew she had to for the baby. She phoned her best friend, Alex and asked her to drive her to the hospital. She remained calm until he passed away. She cried and she cried. But she was aware she couldn't be stressed. So she found strength in her husband's words.
She is aware this tactic is only going to last so long. She has her family and friends' help at hand and she is going to go to a counsellor. Everything is even more planned than it was when her and her husband were making plans for the baby.
Deb's heart aches at the sight of baby Andrew and his chance of loving his dad so dearly being snatched away from him. She aches for her husband and how excited he was to be having a child with the love of his life. She thanks something for giving her the chance to love the best man she ever met and for having such a beautiful baby boy with him.
"You're my new episode baby boy," Deb kisses Andrew's head and smiles.
~
Hope & Love,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I am blogging twice every day in March and you can read my last post HERE!
As Deb looks into Andrew's eyes and repeats this in her head, she knows her grief has to wait. For this baby boy. To make Andy the proudest daddy and husband.
Her and Andrew's family have been devastated but have been putting a brave face on for Deb. For the baby. For Andy. Sometimes it was what she needed; sometimes she just needed to be at her and her husband's home. She didn't find it morbid; she found it helped. She would watch the shows they would watch- no new episodes; just the ones they'd seen before.
Deb remembers the phone call she received to tell her husband was in a coma. She stayed calm. She knew she had to for the baby. She phoned her best friend, Alex and asked her to drive her to the hospital. She remained calm until he passed away. She cried and she cried. But she was aware she couldn't be stressed. So she found strength in her husband's words.
She is aware this tactic is only going to last so long. She has her family and friends' help at hand and she is going to go to a counsellor. Everything is even more planned than it was when her and her husband were making plans for the baby.
Deb's heart aches at the sight of baby Andrew and his chance of loving his dad so dearly being snatched away from him. She aches for her husband and how excited he was to be having a child with the love of his life. She thanks something for giving her the chance to love the best man she ever met and for having such a beautiful baby boy with him.
"You're my new episode baby boy," Deb kisses Andrew's head and smiles.
~
Hope & Love,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I am blogging twice every day in March and you can read my last post HERE!
Saturday, 30 January 2016
For Good, For Better
It's been three hours and three minutes since Vicky Hiddleston left her husband, Leo... for good. Well, maybe he hasn't read the letter she left yet, she thought, so maybe the leaving-of-husband process had not been completed yet, but she was feeling pretty confident. At least she was until two hours and fifty-eight minutes ago, when she realised her car was low on petrol. "Damn," she muttered, remembering Tuesday's goal to get to the petrol station after work. It was a minor setback but it did start the butterflies in her stomach.
Now, sat with her passport in her hand, about to board a flight to Switzerland, she recalled her last week in London, the last week of her marriage. Only her very closest friends and her parents knew of her plan and although that made the last week heartbreakingly hard, it was harder to come face to face with colleagues who were sad only because they knew she was leaving her job that week; they didn't know that when they said with completely good intentions that they must meet up soon, that Vicky wasn't planning on being in London any time soon. She saw a few of her friends among travels in the last week and she felt so guilty as she almost whispered goodbye, but she knew it all was for the better.
By the evening Vicky would be in Switzerland. Three years ago she celebrated her thirtieth Birthday and when her and Leo stumbled into bed in the very early hours of the next day after a night of celebrating, he had proposed the idea of moving to Spain in ten years time. Things seemed to be getting better between them. Vaguely, but surely. This dream would be good for them. That was a distant dream now. Vicky almost slapped her wrist. No, not a dream. Whatever it is or was, it is distant. But it was time for Vicky's childhood dreams now. And they were just a flight away. And then a few more flights after that.
She checked the weather forecast on her phone that morning and the evening would bring Switzerland a lovely, warm night. Warmer than Vicky was feeling as she stepped onto the plane. But she nodded to herself, as if for encouragement. She knew she could do this. She was still young and although her dreams of travelling, she thought, had vanished, they were the promise of her future. For a better future.
Geneva Lake. Swiss chocolate. And then the lights of Paris. Croissants in the morning. Wine in the evening. She had a job lined up in German in two months time- after a couple of months of brushing up, she felt confident in her German language she acquired as a toddler after spending months in Berlin with her grandparents. What would come next, she wasn't sure but she knew it would be good. It just had to be.
At twenty-three, after her and Leo had a short engagement followed by a lovely wedding and a couple of months of bliss, Vicky fell pregnant. And then Vicky and Leo couldn't have been happier. The nine months brought them closer and closer together, and the first two months were everything they could have hoped for. And then baby Ella became ill and within only half a year, their lives were pulled apart and Ella was gone. The next few years were a mixture of complete grief and Vicky and Leo trying to move on while keeping their baby girl in their hearts.
Then when date nights were bringing smiles to Vicky and Leo's faces and not cringes, they ate at an Italian they went to when they were eighteen. Over held hands and a candle that smelt of freshly washed towels, Leo, almost desperately, but mostly lovingly, Vicky noticed, said, "Are you ready, Vic?" He hadn't called her that for years. At least, she hadn't noticed it. She focussed on the promise of that, and forgot what happened before he uttered those three letters.
"Ready?" she asked.
"For another baby." Tears sprung in his eyes and her fear of this question was balanced with absolute adoration for her husband. Her heartbroken, lovely husband. She could almost see the eighteen year old she fell in love with in front of her. Maybe she was ready too.
With a nod and a nervous, but true smile, Vicky's heart was partly fixed. Within only just over a year, Vicky had two miscarriages and by the second Vicky knew her heart couldn't take anymore trying. Leo was distraught when he realised. "But, Vic, it's me and you... and a baby." Helplessly he cried and she cried but they didn't hold each other.
In the last year, Vicky became very aware of her husband's affair. After a year and a half of Vicky and Leo trying to find peace in their relationship by taking short trips away and cooking for each other, Vicky noticed Leo's almost anger towards her. She knew he felt guilty for it but he wanted a family more than anything and although Vicky's ache for a family was present, she knew if she focussed on herself and her relationship, she could find some kind of bitter, but genuinely happy haven. She wasn't a perfect wife. She spent too much time at the gym and she couldn't get into the films Leo watched at night like he wanted her to so would always go to bed early and read. But they both knew she didn't deserve Leo's upset and sometimes angry eyes.
And so, only a month before Christmas, Vicky learned of Leo's affair. What was strange was that Vicky wasn't surprised, despite falling in love with Leo way over ten years ago because he was the most loyal and loving guy she had ever come across- and ever would come across. Her heart hurt but she also knew Leo would have had a hard time coming into an affair. Now she knew there were no excuses but she knew Leo would have left her immediately when he became aware of being a lot more interested in someone else, but she assumed he couldn't leave her. He couldn't leave his equally heartbroken wife. And this was confirmed when she heard him say it in a hushed conversation he didn't know she could hear.
Vicky didn't snoop or question Leo's stressed and sad eyes when he lied about where he had been three evenings a week. She stopped asking. He only sometimes told of a lie. She wondered whether he even knew she knew. Instead of dwelling she planned how she could continue saving and where she would go when she had enough money. She couldn't face confronting Leo and she didn't want the mess afterwards. She knew, in time, a divorce would be needed but she would deal with that later. She knew Leo would understand that she would need space before she could return back to London- especially if that was simply for a divorce. These months would also give her closure. By the time she was on the plane to Switzerland most of her goodbye to her husband would have been done months before.
Vicky's adventure above the clouds on a plane to Switzerland left her thinking of her dreams to travel the world as a teenager. She didn't regret her relationship or the time on her marriage- she loved Leo and she expected she always would. She wasn't angry or disappointed. But she was sad. The years seemed stained with heartbreak but her teenage years and early twenties were full of smiles and love and everything she could have dreamed of. Even in the tough years that followed, her love for Leo never wavered and many amazing memories were made. She saw her husband love her, but soon it must have turned into pity. Still love and care, but more of a unconditional kind of love- and not a particularly nice one. She didn't want that. And she didn't want Leo to have to have that either.
Yes, she still loved Leo but in the months that followed after finding out about the affair, she healed her heartbreak at the realisation of there being another woman with the excitement of her travelling plans. She hoped Leo would find happiness because she knew she wanted to find hers. As the plane landed she knew Leo would have read the letter. Her parents would be picking up her car (she couldn't bare the thought of them dropping her off at the airport because she wasn't sure she'd be able to read) and well, Vicky's dream had begun.
Two weeks later, Vicky stepped out into the warm August Swiss air. The sky was blue and she sipped her water before stepping forward into a morning run. She felt happy in her loose, carefree top and short shorts that weren't an option before. She would never have been happy in them. And yet, now, she felt younger than she had in years. Soon, she ran alongside the Geneva lake and adored every sparkle on the water and every cool breeze that helped her along. It had only been a couple of weeks and yet Vicky's heart felt lighter.
She often thought of Ella, her baby girl. Her daughter. She missed her every day, like she always had but she found her so much easier to think about. She'd partially shut off memories of her baby girl but when she wasn't travelling new places and seeing new things (with Ella's smile still brightening her ambition), she would bring out old photographs. Mostly of just Ella or just Ella and herself but sometimes of Leo and Ella too. And that was okay. She mourned her marriage a long time ago and now she just felt fondness.
Whether it was her phone's reception or Leo's lack of words, Vicky received a message from Leo as late as three days into her being in Switzerland. Vicky of course noticed how long it took but she never begrudged him for it. Vicky could see her love's pain in the words he text and she expected a lot of regret too. As soon as she stepped into her new life, she remembered everything she loved about Leo loving her and she knew it would hurt him, but she knew she had every right to her new adventure and she knew, despite having an affair not just on her, but their marriage, he would miss her and he would be loving her while she embraced her first part to her adventure.
A text can't tell you how sorry I am and I admire you for your courage, Vic. There isn't much I can say because the last couple of years of silence said everything we feel, didn't it? I messed up and I didn't even deserve the letter you left me. Thank you for loving me for so long and thank you for telling me you always will. After what I've done, maybe you won't know that I always will too. But I will. We've been through a lot and this guilt from my actions will be strong on my shoulders for the rest of my life. Because my god, I remember everything about our younger years. And I remember the good in between. Thank you for giving me Ella, for as heartbreakingly short our time with her was, it broke us because she was me and you in a little, lovely thing and it was everything we spoke of when our relationship became serious. What I would do to go back. But there's no time for that now.
Vic, you go baby girl, you reach for your stars.
Leo was a writer and what his readers didn't know was that his heart behind his words could only be seen by Vicky. When he was in love with what he was writing, she could read it. When he meant every word of what he was writing, she breathed it in like it was the air she needed to live. His words made her cry and she kept the text for a few days more. And then she deleted it. It captured everything good about her and Leo and it was also marked with everything sad and everything bad she had been through.
She finished her run and sat cross legged on the grass outside her home for the next few weeks. She grinned at the sun on her skin and she closed her eyes feeling incredibly at peace.
For good, for better, here Vicky was. And she felt happy.
~
Sun & Water,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Now, sat with her passport in her hand, about to board a flight to Switzerland, she recalled her last week in London, the last week of her marriage. Only her very closest friends and her parents knew of her plan and although that made the last week heartbreakingly hard, it was harder to come face to face with colleagues who were sad only because they knew she was leaving her job that week; they didn't know that when they said with completely good intentions that they must meet up soon, that Vicky wasn't planning on being in London any time soon. She saw a few of her friends among travels in the last week and she felt so guilty as she almost whispered goodbye, but she knew it all was for the better.
By the evening Vicky would be in Switzerland. Three years ago she celebrated her thirtieth Birthday and when her and Leo stumbled into bed in the very early hours of the next day after a night of celebrating, he had proposed the idea of moving to Spain in ten years time. Things seemed to be getting better between them. Vaguely, but surely. This dream would be good for them. That was a distant dream now. Vicky almost slapped her wrist. No, not a dream. Whatever it is or was, it is distant. But it was time for Vicky's childhood dreams now. And they were just a flight away. And then a few more flights after that.
She checked the weather forecast on her phone that morning and the evening would bring Switzerland a lovely, warm night. Warmer than Vicky was feeling as she stepped onto the plane. But she nodded to herself, as if for encouragement. She knew she could do this. She was still young and although her dreams of travelling, she thought, had vanished, they were the promise of her future. For a better future.
Geneva Lake. Swiss chocolate. And then the lights of Paris. Croissants in the morning. Wine in the evening. She had a job lined up in German in two months time- after a couple of months of brushing up, she felt confident in her German language she acquired as a toddler after spending months in Berlin with her grandparents. What would come next, she wasn't sure but she knew it would be good. It just had to be.
At twenty-three, after her and Leo had a short engagement followed by a lovely wedding and a couple of months of bliss, Vicky fell pregnant. And then Vicky and Leo couldn't have been happier. The nine months brought them closer and closer together, and the first two months were everything they could have hoped for. And then baby Ella became ill and within only half a year, their lives were pulled apart and Ella was gone. The next few years were a mixture of complete grief and Vicky and Leo trying to move on while keeping their baby girl in their hearts.
Then when date nights were bringing smiles to Vicky and Leo's faces and not cringes, they ate at an Italian they went to when they were eighteen. Over held hands and a candle that smelt of freshly washed towels, Leo, almost desperately, but mostly lovingly, Vicky noticed, said, "Are you ready, Vic?" He hadn't called her that for years. At least, she hadn't noticed it. She focussed on the promise of that, and forgot what happened before he uttered those three letters.
"Ready?" she asked.
"For another baby." Tears sprung in his eyes and her fear of this question was balanced with absolute adoration for her husband. Her heartbroken, lovely husband. She could almost see the eighteen year old she fell in love with in front of her. Maybe she was ready too.
With a nod and a nervous, but true smile, Vicky's heart was partly fixed. Within only just over a year, Vicky had two miscarriages and by the second Vicky knew her heart couldn't take anymore trying. Leo was distraught when he realised. "But, Vic, it's me and you... and a baby." Helplessly he cried and she cried but they didn't hold each other.
In the last year, Vicky became very aware of her husband's affair. After a year and a half of Vicky and Leo trying to find peace in their relationship by taking short trips away and cooking for each other, Vicky noticed Leo's almost anger towards her. She knew he felt guilty for it but he wanted a family more than anything and although Vicky's ache for a family was present, she knew if she focussed on herself and her relationship, she could find some kind of bitter, but genuinely happy haven. She wasn't a perfect wife. She spent too much time at the gym and she couldn't get into the films Leo watched at night like he wanted her to so would always go to bed early and read. But they both knew she didn't deserve Leo's upset and sometimes angry eyes.
And so, only a month before Christmas, Vicky learned of Leo's affair. What was strange was that Vicky wasn't surprised, despite falling in love with Leo way over ten years ago because he was the most loyal and loving guy she had ever come across- and ever would come across. Her heart hurt but she also knew Leo would have had a hard time coming into an affair. Now she knew there were no excuses but she knew Leo would have left her immediately when he became aware of being a lot more interested in someone else, but she assumed he couldn't leave her. He couldn't leave his equally heartbroken wife. And this was confirmed when she heard him say it in a hushed conversation he didn't know she could hear.
Vicky didn't snoop or question Leo's stressed and sad eyes when he lied about where he had been three evenings a week. She stopped asking. He only sometimes told of a lie. She wondered whether he even knew she knew. Instead of dwelling she planned how she could continue saving and where she would go when she had enough money. She couldn't face confronting Leo and she didn't want the mess afterwards. She knew, in time, a divorce would be needed but she would deal with that later. She knew Leo would understand that she would need space before she could return back to London- especially if that was simply for a divorce. These months would also give her closure. By the time she was on the plane to Switzerland most of her goodbye to her husband would have been done months before.
Vicky's adventure above the clouds on a plane to Switzerland left her thinking of her dreams to travel the world as a teenager. She didn't regret her relationship or the time on her marriage- she loved Leo and she expected she always would. She wasn't angry or disappointed. But she was sad. The years seemed stained with heartbreak but her teenage years and early twenties were full of smiles and love and everything she could have dreamed of. Even in the tough years that followed, her love for Leo never wavered and many amazing memories were made. She saw her husband love her, but soon it must have turned into pity. Still love and care, but more of a unconditional kind of love- and not a particularly nice one. She didn't want that. And she didn't want Leo to have to have that either.
Yes, she still loved Leo but in the months that followed after finding out about the affair, she healed her heartbreak at the realisation of there being another woman with the excitement of her travelling plans. She hoped Leo would find happiness because she knew she wanted to find hers. As the plane landed she knew Leo would have read the letter. Her parents would be picking up her car (she couldn't bare the thought of them dropping her off at the airport because she wasn't sure she'd be able to read) and well, Vicky's dream had begun.
Two weeks later, Vicky stepped out into the warm August Swiss air. The sky was blue and she sipped her water before stepping forward into a morning run. She felt happy in her loose, carefree top and short shorts that weren't an option before. She would never have been happy in them. And yet, now, she felt younger than she had in years. Soon, she ran alongside the Geneva lake and adored every sparkle on the water and every cool breeze that helped her along. It had only been a couple of weeks and yet Vicky's heart felt lighter.
She often thought of Ella, her baby girl. Her daughter. She missed her every day, like she always had but she found her so much easier to think about. She'd partially shut off memories of her baby girl but when she wasn't travelling new places and seeing new things (with Ella's smile still brightening her ambition), she would bring out old photographs. Mostly of just Ella or just Ella and herself but sometimes of Leo and Ella too. And that was okay. She mourned her marriage a long time ago and now she just felt fondness.
Whether it was her phone's reception or Leo's lack of words, Vicky received a message from Leo as late as three days into her being in Switzerland. Vicky of course noticed how long it took but she never begrudged him for it. Vicky could see her love's pain in the words he text and she expected a lot of regret too. As soon as she stepped into her new life, she remembered everything she loved about Leo loving her and she knew it would hurt him, but she knew she had every right to her new adventure and she knew, despite having an affair not just on her, but their marriage, he would miss her and he would be loving her while she embraced her first part to her adventure.
A text can't tell you how sorry I am and I admire you for your courage, Vic. There isn't much I can say because the last couple of years of silence said everything we feel, didn't it? I messed up and I didn't even deserve the letter you left me. Thank you for loving me for so long and thank you for telling me you always will. After what I've done, maybe you won't know that I always will too. But I will. We've been through a lot and this guilt from my actions will be strong on my shoulders for the rest of my life. Because my god, I remember everything about our younger years. And I remember the good in between. Thank you for giving me Ella, for as heartbreakingly short our time with her was, it broke us because she was me and you in a little, lovely thing and it was everything we spoke of when our relationship became serious. What I would do to go back. But there's no time for that now.
Vic, you go baby girl, you reach for your stars.
Leo was a writer and what his readers didn't know was that his heart behind his words could only be seen by Vicky. When he was in love with what he was writing, she could read it. When he meant every word of what he was writing, she breathed it in like it was the air she needed to live. His words made her cry and she kept the text for a few days more. And then she deleted it. It captured everything good about her and Leo and it was also marked with everything sad and everything bad she had been through.
She finished her run and sat cross legged on the grass outside her home for the next few weeks. She grinned at the sun on her skin and she closed her eyes feeling incredibly at peace.
For good, for better, here Vicky was. And she felt happy.
~
Sun & Water,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Friday, 8 January 2016
15:32
Never knowing what version of his dad he was to return home to was always on Colin's mind at school. He never dreaded seeing his dad's face when he walked into the living room, throwing his bag down with a sigh. He just wished he could prepare himself for what version of Colin his dad needed. Except it probably wouldn't change anything- whatever Colin's dad wanted, Colin never found it in him to act the right kind of positive. Sometimes he didn't act any kind of positive. It's 15:32 on an average January day and Colin closes his eyes, opens them again and pushes the living room door open.
The Dad-venturer
This was Colin's least favourite. All Colin wanted to do when he returned home was watch TV, eat food and maybe do some homework... If it was due in the next day. The Dad-venturer would intercept before Colin could even sprawl across the sofa. One time Colin's almost luxurious plans were taken away from him because The Dad-venturer wanted to fly and kite. Colin took a deep breath but he knew it could be worse. Because not too long after while the sky was giving Cornwall the rainiest afternoon known to man (an exaggeration but an understable one, Colin would protest, when you found out what The Dad-venturer had in for him this particular afternoon), Colin's father rushed up from the sofa upon hearing his son coming into the living room with a grin plastered all over his aging, tired but somewhat happy face. "We are going for puddle splashing adventures with an ice-cream for dessert."
The "let's bake even though neither of us know how to" dad (TLBETNOUKHTD)
This version of Colin's dad could be considered bearable. If he didn't have poor taste in music and chose to put the stereo up to the highest volume any stereo possible could while they turned the kitchen into a mess. One time they baked cookies. Now, remember this term is being used lightly because, well, they just turned into a crumbly mess that Colin wasn't going to attempt to eat. No way. "But they could be so tasty!" TLBETNOUKHTD insisted with a cheesy smile. He winked and picked up a handful, putting them in his mouth as Colin protested. Neither spoke this thought but both wondered, whether, when Colin's dad was ill the next day, it was because of the "cookies."
The Dad with the Music
Now, Colin was the least musically-inspired kid you could meet. The thought of singing aloud to anyone made him feel nauseia and he had the rhythm of... well, he had his own rhythm, let's say. This would be his least favourite form of his dad to come home to, but it was normally over within twenty mintues and he didn't have to step outside, and so he just counted down the minutes until he could stop mumbling lyrics to an piece of 80s music his father spent the week learning on piano and left before his dad would change his mind and make him start again.
Only, when Colin opened the door he wasn't approached by any of these dads. Dubiously, he entered the almost silent room and followed the soft sobbing. "Dad?" He quickened his pace and found his dad, sat on the armchair, crying into the quiet. "Dad?" His dad didn't even flinch. He just carried on sobbing. Colin looked down to his dad's hands where he was cradling a picture of himself, his wife and Colin. His mum.
Quickly, Colin searches his mind and almost immediately, it clicks: January 7th. January 7th. It's been a year since Colin's mum left while his dad was working on a project in the garage and Colin was at school.
"Oh dad," Colin's heart broke for his dad, and for himself too. Colin didn't want to see his mum again but he so wish he could go back in time and do everything to make her stay.
Not that he should have to convince his own mother to stay.
Not when Colin and his dad were left for another family. Another life.
A Dad & A Son,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
The Dad-venturer
This was Colin's least favourite. All Colin wanted to do when he returned home was watch TV, eat food and maybe do some homework... If it was due in the next day. The Dad-venturer would intercept before Colin could even sprawl across the sofa. One time Colin's almost luxurious plans were taken away from him because The Dad-venturer wanted to fly and kite. Colin took a deep breath but he knew it could be worse. Because not too long after while the sky was giving Cornwall the rainiest afternoon known to man (an exaggeration but an understable one, Colin would protest, when you found out what The Dad-venturer had in for him this particular afternoon), Colin's father rushed up from the sofa upon hearing his son coming into the living room with a grin plastered all over his aging, tired but somewhat happy face. "We are going for puddle splashing adventures with an ice-cream for dessert."
The "let's bake even though neither of us know how to" dad (TLBETNOUKHTD)
This version of Colin's dad could be considered bearable. If he didn't have poor taste in music and chose to put the stereo up to the highest volume any stereo possible could while they turned the kitchen into a mess. One time they baked cookies. Now, remember this term is being used lightly because, well, they just turned into a crumbly mess that Colin wasn't going to attempt to eat. No way. "But they could be so tasty!" TLBETNOUKHTD insisted with a cheesy smile. He winked and picked up a handful, putting them in his mouth as Colin protested. Neither spoke this thought but both wondered, whether, when Colin's dad was ill the next day, it was because of the "cookies."
The Dad with the Music
Now, Colin was the least musically-inspired kid you could meet. The thought of singing aloud to anyone made him feel nauseia and he had the rhythm of... well, he had his own rhythm, let's say. This would be his least favourite form of his dad to come home to, but it was normally over within twenty mintues and he didn't have to step outside, and so he just counted down the minutes until he could stop mumbling lyrics to an piece of 80s music his father spent the week learning on piano and left before his dad would change his mind and make him start again.
Only, when Colin opened the door he wasn't approached by any of these dads. Dubiously, he entered the almost silent room and followed the soft sobbing. "Dad?" He quickened his pace and found his dad, sat on the armchair, crying into the quiet. "Dad?" His dad didn't even flinch. He just carried on sobbing. Colin looked down to his dad's hands where he was cradling a picture of himself, his wife and Colin. His mum.
Quickly, Colin searches his mind and almost immediately, it clicks: January 7th. January 7th. It's been a year since Colin's mum left while his dad was working on a project in the garage and Colin was at school.
"Oh dad," Colin's heart broke for his dad, and for himself too. Colin didn't want to see his mum again but he so wish he could go back in time and do everything to make her stay.
Not that he should have to convince his own mother to stay.
Not when Colin and his dad were left for another family. Another life.
A Dad & A Son,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Saturday, 19 December 2015
Home for Christmas | Part Three
~ The first part of the story can be found HERE and the second HERE! ~
It's Christmas Eve and George is relieved to have a break from his business, able now to enjoy the festivities and plan the New Year and all he can do to create more business and progress further with it all. In a couple of hours he is due to be round Delilah's to have their annual Christmas nibbles and a sing song with his dad and his little brother, Harry. He brings out his deep blue long sleeve shirt and black jeans. He nods at them as if for reassuring and he feels his tummy understand that today is the day when the truth will be told.
George gulps and puts the thought out of his mind so that he has it in him to get something done in the next couple of hours.
It's Christmas Eve and George is relieved to have a break from his business, able now to enjoy the festivities and plan the New Year and all he can do to create more business and progress further with it all. In a couple of hours he is due to be round Delilah's to have their annual Christmas nibbles and a sing song with his dad and his little brother, Harry. He brings out his deep blue long sleeve shirt and black jeans. He nods at them as if for reassuring and he feels his tummy understand that today is the day when the truth will be told.
George gulps and puts the thought out of his mind so that he has it in him to get something done in the next couple of hours.
* * *
Delilah plates up some nibbles and slides them into the fridge, bobbing along to the Christmas songs on the radio. Robbie steals a sausage roll and Delilah flicks his arm and he grins. "It's nearly Christmas Robbie-do-dah," she says as if her little brother needs reminding.
Robbie is about to complain about her nickname but he nods almost too fast. "It's gonna be ace. Me and Harry are gonna play games all day." He suddenly frowns, "I need to wrap."
With that Robbie is rushing out of the room before coming back, taking the cello tape and he is off again. Normally Delilah's family and George's family spend Christmas Eve together and then see each other a few days later. This year, they are joining forces and Delilah can barely wait. Her heart sings at the thought of sitting next to her best friend at the dinner table and having a whole day of festive cheer with him.
Delilah still giggles at how well her master plan unfolded not a week before. The kids and George's dad, Steve were amazing and the look on George's face when she would dare to look at his lovely, lovely face was the best thing she has ever created. Singing his song in front of him threw her back to sitting and watching him, adoring how everyone loved her best friend like she did.
A few hours later, the doorbell rings and her dad gets up with a grin and Delilah pushes him playfully out of the way, "I want to get it, I want to get it!"
As Robbie and Harry muck around in the corner, Steve puts his arm around George and ruffles Delilah's hair as she sits down at the piano. Delilah's parents, Cora and Michael Rose slot in next to Steve and Michael chuckles, "You ready for our annual carolling?"
"As always," Steve winks.
Every Christmas the Roses make Steve's family's festive days so much jollier. Since losing his wife years before, he can't ever thank them enough for being so kind and generous. Delilah makes a joke and Steve finds it difficult not to imagine her, one day, being his beautiful daughter-in-law. His heart aches for his son and he makes a Christmas wish.
That this Christmas is that Christmas.
As Delilah easily plays the piano, while her little crowd are stunned at her talent, they all sing along, and Steve enjoys it all. For himself, for his sons, for his second family and most importantly, for his wife.
Christmas Eve unfolds deliciously and Delilah does everything to subtly but often take a look at George, looking as dashing as she hears the girls who pass him say. George makes a joke with his and her brother and she turns to her mum and hugs her. "I love you mum."
"I love you too Dee," her mum grins at her. "Are you having a nice time?"
"The best. It's awesome being back."
"I'd like to think that's all because of me." Cora's eyes move to George.
Delilah flushes a little and stares after her mum as she walks off, arranging the nibbles as if she simply said something that is heartbreakingly obvious. She isn't oblivious to everyone's stronger-than-normal hints that something should and George should admit something and she is equally not oblivious to her heart knowing she wants it more than her mum, her dad, Steve and the whole town, but... Well, but.
Christmas Eve sprawls out lazily into late evening and George notes that it's been a simple and yet perfect affair. With her favourite people around him, he's spent the whole time feeling almost perfectly festive. He looks to his right and sees his best friend curled up with her brother, laughing over something.
"Georgio," Michael calls. "You're looking far too dashing in that shirt, mate."
George laughs, "And you look like a silver fox in that Christmas jumper, Mr. Rose."
"You sweet talker, you!"
Delilah giggles and rolls her eyes, "Steve, my own dad prefers George to me."
"Don't worry, sweetie, I prefer you to both of my own!"
"Hey!" Harry frowns and is clearly proud at everyone laughing.
Delilah whispers something in Harry's ear making him giggle and it takes everything for George not to steal Delilah away and kiss her there and then. Not only do his whole family adore the love of his life but so does everyone who comes across her and as much as he truly adores this fact, it doesn't half make his heart ache harder to have her as not only his best friend, but something more matching his heart's feelings.
As the mild Christmas Eve evening dances on, George's dad and brother leave for home and he says he won't be too far behind them. Delilah's family file upstairs and Delilah sings along to the Christmas songs on the stereo. George laughs as he harmonises her and Delilah giggles, "A harmony like that makes it known we will be together for ever." She seems almost embarrassed as she notices she's slipped up but George smiles encouragingly.
"Hey, Dee, I have a surprise for you."
Delilah's eyes narrow and she moves her head to the side.
"Not because you surprised me so awesomely, but because you're so deserved, best friend."
"You best not outdo me."
"I could never!" George laughs. "Come on."
He leads her out onto the decking and tells her to sit down on a chair. Too nervous to drag it out, he flicks a switch and snow falls from the just above where Michael helped him earlier position the snow machine. "You've always wanted a white Christmas."
Delilah giggles and it seems like she won't ever stop. George takes it all in and allows his stomach to feel entirely nervous and entirely in love with this girl with the endless smile. He sits beside her and wraps his arm around her and she snuggles into him. George notes that he doesn't want this easiness between them to end but he knows he can't keep quiet any longer.
For a while longer, he lets the evening play out and makes sure he'll remember every little joke Delilah makes, every little thanks she says for the snow in front of them, while he knows he appreciates the more the simple gesture. They watch as it continues to fall and he makes a wish in every fake flake. He wishes for his heart to tell the truth with no reservations. He wishes for this Christmas not to be ruined as a result. He wishes that she would understand how grateful he is for her being there, always. For this silly boy who should have come clean a long time ago.
With that, George pulls away from Delilah slightly and she seems almost hurt but then she smiles that smile and George's courage and honesty controls his steady hands as they take hers. Delilah's eyes sing at him and he laughs. "I'm out of my depth, Dee."
Delilah frowns, seemingly worried.
George knows he could make a speech and do gestures like he's dreamed of all of his life, but he strokes her hand and takes one last look at the girl who seems oblivious to him. Her hair curls down her body and her cheeks are tinted with the little pink he adores. Her tiny ears seem a little cold and he aches to rub them warmer. Her long eyelashes blink with her eyes and he shakes his head, enjoying how desperate his heart is. He knows his eyes are saying everything. He just knows it. "I'm so utterly enchanted by you Delilah Rose."
And that's when everything is changed for ever.
* * *
As Robbie and Harry muck around in the corner, Steve puts his arm around George and ruffles Delilah's hair as she sits down at the piano. Delilah's parents, Cora and Michael Rose slot in next to Steve and Michael chuckles, "You ready for our annual carolling?"
"As always," Steve winks.
Every Christmas the Roses make Steve's family's festive days so much jollier. Since losing his wife years before, he can't ever thank them enough for being so kind and generous. Delilah makes a joke and Steve finds it difficult not to imagine her, one day, being his beautiful daughter-in-law. His heart aches for his son and he makes a Christmas wish.
That this Christmas is that Christmas.
As Delilah easily plays the piano, while her little crowd are stunned at her talent, they all sing along, and Steve enjoys it all. For himself, for his sons, for his second family and most importantly, for his wife.
* * *
Christmas Eve unfolds deliciously and Delilah does everything to subtly but often take a look at George, looking as dashing as she hears the girls who pass him say. George makes a joke with his and her brother and she turns to her mum and hugs her. "I love you mum."
"I love you too Dee," her mum grins at her. "Are you having a nice time?"
"The best. It's awesome being back."
"I'd like to think that's all because of me." Cora's eyes move to George.
Delilah flushes a little and stares after her mum as she walks off, arranging the nibbles as if she simply said something that is heartbreakingly obvious. She isn't oblivious to everyone's stronger-than-normal hints that something should and George should admit something and she is equally not oblivious to her heart knowing she wants it more than her mum, her dad, Steve and the whole town, but... Well, but.
* * *
Christmas Eve sprawls out lazily into late evening and George notes that it's been a simple and yet perfect affair. With her favourite people around him, he's spent the whole time feeling almost perfectly festive. He looks to his right and sees his best friend curled up with her brother, laughing over something.
"Georgio," Michael calls. "You're looking far too dashing in that shirt, mate."
George laughs, "And you look like a silver fox in that Christmas jumper, Mr. Rose."
"You sweet talker, you!"
Delilah giggles and rolls her eyes, "Steve, my own dad prefers George to me."
"Don't worry, sweetie, I prefer you to both of my own!"
"Hey!" Harry frowns and is clearly proud at everyone laughing.
Delilah whispers something in Harry's ear making him giggle and it takes everything for George not to steal Delilah away and kiss her there and then. Not only do his whole family adore the love of his life but so does everyone who comes across her and as much as he truly adores this fact, it doesn't half make his heart ache harder to have her as not only his best friend, but something more matching his heart's feelings.
As the mild Christmas Eve evening dances on, George's dad and brother leave for home and he says he won't be too far behind them. Delilah's family file upstairs and Delilah sings along to the Christmas songs on the stereo. George laughs as he harmonises her and Delilah giggles, "A harmony like that makes it known we will be together for ever." She seems almost embarrassed as she notices she's slipped up but George smiles encouragingly.
"Hey, Dee, I have a surprise for you."
Delilah's eyes narrow and she moves her head to the side.
"Not because you surprised me so awesomely, but because you're so deserved, best friend."
"You best not outdo me."
"I could never!" George laughs. "Come on."
He leads her out onto the decking and tells her to sit down on a chair. Too nervous to drag it out, he flicks a switch and snow falls from the just above where Michael helped him earlier position the snow machine. "You've always wanted a white Christmas."
Delilah giggles and it seems like she won't ever stop. George takes it all in and allows his stomach to feel entirely nervous and entirely in love with this girl with the endless smile. He sits beside her and wraps his arm around her and she snuggles into him. George notes that he doesn't want this easiness between them to end but he knows he can't keep quiet any longer.
For a while longer, he lets the evening play out and makes sure he'll remember every little joke Delilah makes, every little thanks she says for the snow in front of them, while he knows he appreciates the more the simple gesture. They watch as it continues to fall and he makes a wish in every fake flake. He wishes for his heart to tell the truth with no reservations. He wishes for this Christmas not to be ruined as a result. He wishes that she would understand how grateful he is for her being there, always. For this silly boy who should have come clean a long time ago.
With that, George pulls away from Delilah slightly and she seems almost hurt but then she smiles that smile and George's courage and honesty controls his steady hands as they take hers. Delilah's eyes sing at him and he laughs. "I'm out of my depth, Dee."
Delilah frowns, seemingly worried.
George knows he could make a speech and do gestures like he's dreamed of all of his life, but he strokes her hand and takes one last look at the girl who seems oblivious to him. Her hair curls down her body and her cheeks are tinted with the little pink he adores. Her tiny ears seem a little cold and he aches to rub them warmer. Her long eyelashes blink with her eyes and he shakes his head, enjoying how desperate his heart is. He knows his eyes are saying everything. He just knows it. "I'm so utterly enchanted by you Delilah Rose."
And that's when everything is changed for ever.
~
I will be posting the fourth and final part to George and Delilah's story on Christmas Eve!
Fake Snow & Real Words,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. Blogmas!
I will be posting the fourth and final part to George and Delilah's story on Christmas Eve!
Fake Snow & Real Words,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. Blogmas!
Thursday, 17 December 2015
Home for Christmas | Part Two
~ The first part of this story can be found HERE! ~
After a twenty minute car journey consisting of Delilah singing merrily along to songs that sing of all of the festive words, George notes that his heart feels settled once again with his best friend by his side. When she taps his arm he knows that it's his turn to sing and they giggle all the way until Delilah pulls over. "Okay, best friend," she smiles as if she is all of the stars in the sky and George sighs a happy sigh. "It's time."
Delilah leads George along the high street and after turning a corner into one of the lanes, she pulls out a key and before George can put two and two together, they are stood in his mother's café. After her marriage and her kids, her café meant everything to her. After she died six years before George's father has kept it running. It was a struggle at first - his dad saw the love of his life in every cake and every pink pillow - but he now sees the ever busy business as one of his salvations.
Although they still often meet at the café, as children Delilah and George would always hang out with his mum, decorating cakes and serving customers for fun. Sometimes they would just sit in the window seat and chit chat for hours. Delilah turns a switch and fairy lights twinkle above the Christmas decorations and George's breath catches. Sat waiting for them are six of the kids he teaches guitar to in his shop with guitars perched on their laps. With the biggest grins on their faces George laughs, intrigued and deliriously happily. "Guys?" He asks.
They shake their heads as if they're not telling. George turns to Delilah and her expression is so soft that he can see she has lost the ability to talk for a few moments. "Best friend, what is going on?"
As if it's her way of answering, Delilah carefully swings her mysteriously large bag round to her front and she pulls out her guitar. George frowns with a grin. George tried to teach Delilah guitar a couple of summers ago. Frustrated but still laughing Delilah concluded that she would always be the girl that plays piano and George, the guy who plays guitar.
As Delilah turns and sits on the empty seat by the children, George notes now that he must savour every moment of this memory his beautiful best friend is giving him. George's father appears from behind the counter with a merry grin on his face and a Santa's hat on his head. In his hands is a tray full of fairy cakes decorated how George and Delilah always made when they were younger. Yellow and blue and green and pink butter icing with white stars on the top.
"Hello son," his dad approaches him and hands him the tray before quickly pulling out two chairs for them both to sit on. After they sit, his dad takes back the tray and hands him a cake, as if it is his cake. George looks down and notices a small scroll of paper perched on top. Unaware of the kids getting ready with Delilah, George unfolds the note.
Merry Christmas best friend. Let's make this the best one yet!
A lump catches George's throat and he doesn't dare look at his dad, his dad being the only one that he has ever discussed his happily unbearable adoration for his best friend. His best friend with dark blonde hair and big green eyes and the most gentle soul there has ever been.
Before he can dwell on how beautiful Delilah looks in her deep green skirt and black jumper, her lips say softly, "1, 2, 3, 4..."
Within seconds it all clicks and George is half laughing and half doing all he can not to cry. In front of him are some of the kids that spur him on every day to carry on with his business that many warned him he was not quite ready to go ahead with. His mother told him he should always be what he wants to be and he knew university wasn't the answer for him, so he jumped in head first and he has had no regrets.
As they almost perfectly strummed the chords and Delilah's pretty voice sings the words to a Christmas song he wrote as an eleven year old entering a school competition, he is thrown back to nine years before. The day of the competition George was shaking so much he didn't know how he would be able to play his guitar. Delilah put both hands on his shoulders and said, "You, Georgie, can do this." He took a breath and he sung the song that won him the competition while the crowd full of schoolchildren grinned back at him.
As the chorus kicks in, Annie and Hannah sing alongside Delilah and George shakes his head. He'd forgotten about this song, but of course, Delilah hadn't. Nine years before as his friends were fist pumping him and singing the chorus at him after he won the competition, Delilah grinned in his face. "When you're stupidly famous and you've forgotten this song, I will remind you of it."
"Because it's terrible?"
Delilah looked offended, "No, because it's brilliant! You're brilliant." George shivers, remembering those two words... You're brilliant. He should have kissed her then, but he never did.
As the song finishes, the children burst into uncontrollable giggles and Delilah briefly looks, sheepishly, at George before hi-fiving all of the kids. "You were brilliant, guys." George's heart almost stops and he closes his eyes with happiness. She really is brilliant. "Now go and grab yourself a cake. No, grab yourself two cakes. I made plenty!"
George's dad pats his back and the kids run over to him. He isn't sure he can move but he pulls himself up and takes a few footsteps to Delilah, who is perching her guitar up against a stool. "You play guitar now, do you?" Delilah turns, replying with the merriest grin. "You're now a triple threat, making myself weaker than you in the music world."
"As if!" Delilah scoffs. "I only learnt four chords."
George feigns anger. "You mean my song is simple?"
Delilah giggles, "Your song was and always will be my favourite song." She pauses as George can't find the words and her excited eyes catch his wet blue eyes. During the summer, I found the video I recorded of you singing the song. When I was off of work and you were at work, I would come to the café and your dad so kindly would teach me the chords I needed. It took a while and the kids completely outshined me every time we practiced towards the end of summer, but..." She trails off.
"Dee, this is completely incredible."
Delilah's cheeks are accompanied by a little pink and she looks down. "I know Bailey's mum," she nods over to the boy with the massive grin and looks back to George. "I asked her if she could find a way to gather some of the kids you teach together during the summer and they were more than eager. Bailey's mum has got them together every Thursday after school to practice."
George's eyes nearly give way to the happiness in his eyes but he bites his lip and looks at his hand. He moves one hand to her hand. "Dee, no one's ever done such a beautiful, thoughtful thing."
Delilah shakes her head, almost sternly. "Everyone has been so kind." Before he can agree but insist she is the most lovely thing he has ever laid eyes on and that he is so grateful, she nods her head forward. "The kids..." she grins. George turns to see six kids grinning up at him and he reluctantly lets go of Delilah's hand and lets his heart feel another type of admiration for the kids he adores teaching and watching grow.
"You guys!" he chuckles as they giggle at him. He scruffs up Bailey's head and says, "You were amazing, you little rascals." He widens his eyes at Sam, "You have absolutely aced your rhythm, Sammy. Lily, Hannah... I didn't know you could sing like angels!" They grin at each other. "Matthew and Dan- you've never looked so confident. And Bailey boy, your ability to grin mischievously and play perfectly will always amaze me." He sighs and closes his eyes before opening again. "As if you kept this secret from me for so long!"
After an hour or so of the kids, George, his dad and Delilah listening to Christmas songs and eating cakes and sandwiches Delilah apparently made in the café that morning, the kids file out of the shop with George's dad closely behind them, ready to drive them home in his minibus. "Merry Christmas!" They all sang to each other. Delilah turns around and George just catches his dad smiling at him with a slow nod.
As the door shuts behind them, George is conscious of the quiet that is more than meaningful. Delilah busies herself by stacking chairs and putting stools out the back. She throws away empty cake wrappers and puts the remaining few in a tub. George feels helpless and can't stop himself from silently watching her as he wipes a side.
"Thank you," George almost whispers. It doesn't sound like nearly enough. Delilah leans on the counter and smiles warmly, "You are more than welcome."
"But..." George is about to ask what he has done to deserve such a beautiful gesture. He watched some of his favourite people sing a song he almost forgotten but most certainly remembers writing as an eleven year old, in the shop his mum adored with his dad by his side.
"Don't even ask why." Delilah packs bits and bobs into her bag and she closes the distance between the two of them. "I knew these last few months of us being in two far away places was going to be awful without you. Almost unbearable. And it was, George." He feels his brows tighten at her saying his name. "I've missed you so damn much."
George's heart can barely believe how lucky he is.
"You've been the best, calling me every day."
"As if I would ever not have!" George exclaims. "Dee, the cakes... Every last detail of this has been so magical."
Delilah shrugs. "I've missed you every day, best friend."
"I've missed you endlessly, best friend." For a moment, the two of them let their eyes linger and everything George has always loved about her is shining brightly like it does every single day. Delilah wraps her arms around him and leans her head into his neck.
George can't feel disappointed at his lack of declaration. The declaration his has so yearned to tell of for so many years... He embraces her warm shoulders and her soft hair. His nose smiles at the scent he bought her years before that she always goes back to. One day, he thinks, he will tell the truth.
Soon.
~
Songs & Cakes,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. Blogmas!
P.P.S. The next part of the story has now been posted and you can read that HERE!
After a twenty minute car journey consisting of Delilah singing merrily along to songs that sing of all of the festive words, George notes that his heart feels settled once again with his best friend by his side. When she taps his arm he knows that it's his turn to sing and they giggle all the way until Delilah pulls over. "Okay, best friend," she smiles as if she is all of the stars in the sky and George sighs a happy sigh. "It's time."
Delilah leads George along the high street and after turning a corner into one of the lanes, she pulls out a key and before George can put two and two together, they are stood in his mother's café. After her marriage and her kids, her café meant everything to her. After she died six years before George's father has kept it running. It was a struggle at first - his dad saw the love of his life in every cake and every pink pillow - but he now sees the ever busy business as one of his salvations.
Although they still often meet at the café, as children Delilah and George would always hang out with his mum, decorating cakes and serving customers for fun. Sometimes they would just sit in the window seat and chit chat for hours. Delilah turns a switch and fairy lights twinkle above the Christmas decorations and George's breath catches. Sat waiting for them are six of the kids he teaches guitar to in his shop with guitars perched on their laps. With the biggest grins on their faces George laughs, intrigued and deliriously happily. "Guys?" He asks.
They shake their heads as if they're not telling. George turns to Delilah and her expression is so soft that he can see she has lost the ability to talk for a few moments. "Best friend, what is going on?"
As if it's her way of answering, Delilah carefully swings her mysteriously large bag round to her front and she pulls out her guitar. George frowns with a grin. George tried to teach Delilah guitar a couple of summers ago. Frustrated but still laughing Delilah concluded that she would always be the girl that plays piano and George, the guy who plays guitar.
As Delilah turns and sits on the empty seat by the children, George notes now that he must savour every moment of this memory his beautiful best friend is giving him. George's father appears from behind the counter with a merry grin on his face and a Santa's hat on his head. In his hands is a tray full of fairy cakes decorated how George and Delilah always made when they were younger. Yellow and blue and green and pink butter icing with white stars on the top.
"Hello son," his dad approaches him and hands him the tray before quickly pulling out two chairs for them both to sit on. After they sit, his dad takes back the tray and hands him a cake, as if it is his cake. George looks down and notices a small scroll of paper perched on top. Unaware of the kids getting ready with Delilah, George unfolds the note.
Merry Christmas best friend. Let's make this the best one yet!
A lump catches George's throat and he doesn't dare look at his dad, his dad being the only one that he has ever discussed his happily unbearable adoration for his best friend. His best friend with dark blonde hair and big green eyes and the most gentle soul there has ever been.
Before he can dwell on how beautiful Delilah looks in her deep green skirt and black jumper, her lips say softly, "1, 2, 3, 4..."
Within seconds it all clicks and George is half laughing and half doing all he can not to cry. In front of him are some of the kids that spur him on every day to carry on with his business that many warned him he was not quite ready to go ahead with. His mother told him he should always be what he wants to be and he knew university wasn't the answer for him, so he jumped in head first and he has had no regrets.
As they almost perfectly strummed the chords and Delilah's pretty voice sings the words to a Christmas song he wrote as an eleven year old entering a school competition, he is thrown back to nine years before. The day of the competition George was shaking so much he didn't know how he would be able to play his guitar. Delilah put both hands on his shoulders and said, "You, Georgie, can do this." He took a breath and he sung the song that won him the competition while the crowd full of schoolchildren grinned back at him.
As the chorus kicks in, Annie and Hannah sing alongside Delilah and George shakes his head. He'd forgotten about this song, but of course, Delilah hadn't. Nine years before as his friends were fist pumping him and singing the chorus at him after he won the competition, Delilah grinned in his face. "When you're stupidly famous and you've forgotten this song, I will remind you of it."
"Because it's terrible?"
Delilah looked offended, "No, because it's brilliant! You're brilliant." George shivers, remembering those two words... You're brilliant. He should have kissed her then, but he never did.
As the song finishes, the children burst into uncontrollable giggles and Delilah briefly looks, sheepishly, at George before hi-fiving all of the kids. "You were brilliant, guys." George's heart almost stops and he closes his eyes with happiness. She really is brilliant. "Now go and grab yourself a cake. No, grab yourself two cakes. I made plenty!"
George's dad pats his back and the kids run over to him. He isn't sure he can move but he pulls himself up and takes a few footsteps to Delilah, who is perching her guitar up against a stool. "You play guitar now, do you?" Delilah turns, replying with the merriest grin. "You're now a triple threat, making myself weaker than you in the music world."
"As if!" Delilah scoffs. "I only learnt four chords."
George feigns anger. "You mean my song is simple?"
Delilah giggles, "Your song was and always will be my favourite song." She pauses as George can't find the words and her excited eyes catch his wet blue eyes. During the summer, I found the video I recorded of you singing the song. When I was off of work and you were at work, I would come to the café and your dad so kindly would teach me the chords I needed. It took a while and the kids completely outshined me every time we practiced towards the end of summer, but..." She trails off.
"Dee, this is completely incredible."
Delilah's cheeks are accompanied by a little pink and she looks down. "I know Bailey's mum," she nods over to the boy with the massive grin and looks back to George. "I asked her if she could find a way to gather some of the kids you teach together during the summer and they were more than eager. Bailey's mum has got them together every Thursday after school to practice."
George's eyes nearly give way to the happiness in his eyes but he bites his lip and looks at his hand. He moves one hand to her hand. "Dee, no one's ever done such a beautiful, thoughtful thing."
Delilah shakes her head, almost sternly. "Everyone has been so kind." Before he can agree but insist she is the most lovely thing he has ever laid eyes on and that he is so grateful, she nods her head forward. "The kids..." she grins. George turns to see six kids grinning up at him and he reluctantly lets go of Delilah's hand and lets his heart feel another type of admiration for the kids he adores teaching and watching grow.
"You guys!" he chuckles as they giggle at him. He scruffs up Bailey's head and says, "You were amazing, you little rascals." He widens his eyes at Sam, "You have absolutely aced your rhythm, Sammy. Lily, Hannah... I didn't know you could sing like angels!" They grin at each other. "Matthew and Dan- you've never looked so confident. And Bailey boy, your ability to grin mischievously and play perfectly will always amaze me." He sighs and closes his eyes before opening again. "As if you kept this secret from me for so long!"
After an hour or so of the kids, George, his dad and Delilah listening to Christmas songs and eating cakes and sandwiches Delilah apparently made in the café that morning, the kids file out of the shop with George's dad closely behind them, ready to drive them home in his minibus. "Merry Christmas!" They all sang to each other. Delilah turns around and George just catches his dad smiling at him with a slow nod.
As the door shuts behind them, George is conscious of the quiet that is more than meaningful. Delilah busies herself by stacking chairs and putting stools out the back. She throws away empty cake wrappers and puts the remaining few in a tub. George feels helpless and can't stop himself from silently watching her as he wipes a side.
"Thank you," George almost whispers. It doesn't sound like nearly enough. Delilah leans on the counter and smiles warmly, "You are more than welcome."
"But..." George is about to ask what he has done to deserve such a beautiful gesture. He watched some of his favourite people sing a song he almost forgotten but most certainly remembers writing as an eleven year old, in the shop his mum adored with his dad by his side.
"Don't even ask why." Delilah packs bits and bobs into her bag and she closes the distance between the two of them. "I knew these last few months of us being in two far away places was going to be awful without you. Almost unbearable. And it was, George." He feels his brows tighten at her saying his name. "I've missed you so damn much."
George's heart can barely believe how lucky he is.
"You've been the best, calling me every day."
"As if I would ever not have!" George exclaims. "Dee, the cakes... Every last detail of this has been so magical."
Delilah shrugs. "I've missed you every day, best friend."
"I've missed you endlessly, best friend." For a moment, the two of them let their eyes linger and everything George has always loved about her is shining brightly like it does every single day. Delilah wraps her arms around him and leans her head into his neck.
George can't feel disappointed at his lack of declaration. The declaration his has so yearned to tell of for so many years... He embraces her warm shoulders and her soft hair. His nose smiles at the scent he bought her years before that she always goes back to. One day, he thinks, he will tell the truth.
Soon.
~
Songs & Cakes,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. Blogmas!
P.P.S. The next part of the story has now been posted and you can read that HERE!
Wednesday, 9 December 2015
Their First Snow Day
She stares with a heart full of weight out of the window. Every piece of snow that catches her eye is the star of the show for all of the moments before it hits the ground. Before she can dwell on how each piece of snow falls to sleep as its fate is handed to it when faced with the damp ground, another piece catches her eye, and there we have how the evening of twenty-four year old Annie is going to be spent. She said no to seeing her best friend who she hasn't seen for months; she shook her head sadly at her little brother who wanted to play outside with her; she said no because she had a promise to keep. She has the window seat and although the pavement is damp, snow is still layered like it is on Christmas cards and it really is something.
"Our first snow day is going to be the best," Alfie says, stroking Annie's hair with a triumphant smile.
"What if we are busy during the day?" Annie frowns.
"Then we will have the evening, and if we have any supposed plans, I hear you ask? Screw 'em."
Annie giggles and curls into her boyfriend's arms.
The little marshmallows falling from the sky can't see Annie but they're performing for her. They're showing all that could have been and all that is evidently not by doing so. A few children giggle past the window with their parents trailing dreamily behind them. Annie notes that everyone outside seems warmed by all of the fun and smiles, and yet Annie, sat opposite the fireplace, couldn't feel any colder.
"What other firsts have we got to come, Al?" She asks longingly.
"Our first holiday." Annie looks up at him but he's not looking at her. Instead he's looking a head with adoring eyes and Annie's heart smiles with his. "Our first fight."
"No!" Annie almost yells and they laugh at the irony. "Go back to our first snow day. That sounds fun."
"So we will have our first snowball fight... Do our first snow angels!" Annie giggles at his enthusiasm. "And Annie," he turns to her and strokes her face. A tear glistens in his eye, and his thumb touches her lip. "Our first kiss in the snow."
Christmastime was getting underway just over two years ago when Alfie picked Annie up and twirled her around making her giggle. When he set her back down on her size four feet, he lowered his lips to the height of her ears. "Imagine our wedding and our first kiss as husband and wife."
Annie feels her heart lift for a second and her eyes refuse to blink. In the darkness behind the window that is separating Annie from the merriment, Annie lets herself believe that just in front of the big tree sprinkled with white dust, there's a girl with size four feet and a guy with the biggest heart. As there are far off giggles of excitement, Annie can almost see her own arms wrapped around her lovely Alfie. Just as their lips touch and Christmas makes their wishes come true, Annie's head falls into her lap and she cries for him. For her. For them.
It's the second Christmas Annie's celebrated without her best friend since they met ten years before. She brings the last photo taken of them from her pocket and onto her lap. Three weeks later Annie was stood at his funeral, not even daring to let one tear drop. A year and a half later and she's understanding the glisten of the Christmas lights a little more- the sadness to be remembered, and the happiness that can be found. Annie let's go of her quest to find the light in the darkness for one night, and she whispers through her tears, "Our first snow day." She stares out of the window. "We said we'd spend it together, so here I am baby."
~
Stars & Snow,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. Blogmas!
"Our first snow day is going to be the best," Alfie says, stroking Annie's hair with a triumphant smile.
"What if we are busy during the day?" Annie frowns.
"Then we will have the evening, and if we have any supposed plans, I hear you ask? Screw 'em."
Annie giggles and curls into her boyfriend's arms.
The little marshmallows falling from the sky can't see Annie but they're performing for her. They're showing all that could have been and all that is evidently not by doing so. A few children giggle past the window with their parents trailing dreamily behind them. Annie notes that everyone outside seems warmed by all of the fun and smiles, and yet Annie, sat opposite the fireplace, couldn't feel any colder.
"What other firsts have we got to come, Al?" She asks longingly.
"Our first holiday." Annie looks up at him but he's not looking at her. Instead he's looking a head with adoring eyes and Annie's heart smiles with his. "Our first fight."
"No!" Annie almost yells and they laugh at the irony. "Go back to our first snow day. That sounds fun."
"So we will have our first snowball fight... Do our first snow angels!" Annie giggles at his enthusiasm. "And Annie," he turns to her and strokes her face. A tear glistens in his eye, and his thumb touches her lip. "Our first kiss in the snow."
Christmastime was getting underway just over two years ago when Alfie picked Annie up and twirled her around making her giggle. When he set her back down on her size four feet, he lowered his lips to the height of her ears. "Imagine our wedding and our first kiss as husband and wife."
Annie feels her heart lift for a second and her eyes refuse to blink. In the darkness behind the window that is separating Annie from the merriment, Annie lets herself believe that just in front of the big tree sprinkled with white dust, there's a girl with size four feet and a guy with the biggest heart. As there are far off giggles of excitement, Annie can almost see her own arms wrapped around her lovely Alfie. Just as their lips touch and Christmas makes their wishes come true, Annie's head falls into her lap and she cries for him. For her. For them.
It's the second Christmas Annie's celebrated without her best friend since they met ten years before. She brings the last photo taken of them from her pocket and onto her lap. Three weeks later Annie was stood at his funeral, not even daring to let one tear drop. A year and a half later and she's understanding the glisten of the Christmas lights a little more- the sadness to be remembered, and the happiness that can be found. Annie let's go of her quest to find the light in the darkness for one night, and she whispers through her tears, "Our first snow day." She stares out of the window. "We said we'd spend it together, so here I am baby."
~
Stars & Snow,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. Blogmas!
Friday, 20 November 2015
One More Afternoon
Liam stares at the date he, moments ago, wrote on a piece of paper. September 23rd 2015. He draws a sharp breath and has to balance his forehead on his hand to keep himself from falling forward. It has, today, been two years since his mother passed away. It has, today, been two years since he came out to his lovely mother. It has, today, been two years since he uttered those words aloud. "Mummy," he had whimpered, being easily reminded of feeling like a vulnerable boy ten years before when he'd hurt himself. "I'm gay," he had said.
Earlier that day a doctor informed Liam, his father and his sister that his mother had just one afternoon left until she would pass away. Without using words to express it, it was abundantly clear that all three of them wished a miracle would prevail. They, again, silently followed spoken suggestions of using time wisely. Unfortunately, September 23rd 2013 was not a day miracles were on their side.
They each got ten minutes separately with Ellie Sparks, the light in Liam's life. It took one minute of crying in those ten minutes for Liam to stare at his mother helplessly, who was rubbing his hand as best as she could. She took a breath and slowly almost asked, "Son?"
"Mummy," Ellie tried to nod with as much strength as she could, and she smiled encouragingly. "I'm gay."
As soon as Liam saw his mother's smiling eyes and proud smile, the tears stopped and he held his breath to listen to his mother's quiet but loud words. "Liam, you're the brightest, loveliest thing. I am so proud of you and always have been." The words got slower and much heavier. "When you can, you tell your dad and you tell your sister. Don't be afraid. You are to them what are you to me. And you must never stop living a life full of happiness."
Liam began to cry again and his mother cradled him one last time. "Can you promise me that?"
Liam lifted his head and gulped. "I promise. I promise. For you."
"No," his mother was almost stern but her soft eyes betrayed her. "For you."
Liam closes his eyes and then reopens them, forcing himself back in 2015, and attempts to focus on the essay title ahead of him. University is becoming hectic and stressful, and Liam has found himself to be slipping behind in workload. As it piles up almost before his eyes, his desire to face the world with part of who he is known to anyone who dares to notice becomes quieter.
Ten minutes later, giving up on understanding this essay for a day, Liam gathers his things and rushes to the library door, almost needing to be back home. As he walks through the door, taking no notice of his surroundings, he pushes the door into a guy with an unsealed paper cup, the hot drink pouring all over his legs. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Liam exclaims and the guy stops wincing and puts out a hand to insist he shouldn't apologise. "I shouldn't have been standing right by a door." He uses a napkin to wipe his leg. "Especially by a library door where everyone inside will rush out of in the hope to run away from responsibilities!" Liam laughs and the guy smiles, "The coffee was cold."
"Oh thank goodness. Can I buy you another?"
Liam can tell he would refuse, but then he catches his eyes and for a moment too long, they are staring at each other. Liam is instantly aware of the guy's deep and interesting green eyes and his thick eyelashes. "Why not?"
The guy's smile encourages a funny feeling in Liam's stomach and Liam's eyes divert to the ground, a cheesy smile threatening to take over his whole being. As the two of them begin to walk to the student coffee house on the corner, Liam is aware of the guy's every movement. As they quietly queue and order saying as few words to each other as possible, Liam feels giddy with the knowledge that he is definitely being stared at by this stranger. He is definitely enjoying the attention.
When they walk back out into the surprisingly warm, late September air, Liam feels a wave of confidence at the sight of the coffee in the guy's hands. "So you like it milky with no sugar, for future reference."
The guy nods with a grin. "And for future reference, I'm Kyle."
"Liam," he smiles back.
With another surge of confidence, Liam brings out a pen and nods his head to Kyle's cup. "Can I?" Kyle's seemingly normal easy way falters with a shy smile and he hands over the cup. Liam scrawls his number on the cup and grins, "For future reference."
He turns and begins to walk away, his confidence still there but mixed in with a giggly nervousness he wishes he could explain to his mother as soon as he gets home. He aches, then, for just one more afternoon with his mother and a cup of a tea. If he could have that chance, he would tell her everything.
~
A Chance & A Hope,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Earlier that day a doctor informed Liam, his father and his sister that his mother had just one afternoon left until she would pass away. Without using words to express it, it was abundantly clear that all three of them wished a miracle would prevail. They, again, silently followed spoken suggestions of using time wisely. Unfortunately, September 23rd 2013 was not a day miracles were on their side.
They each got ten minutes separately with Ellie Sparks, the light in Liam's life. It took one minute of crying in those ten minutes for Liam to stare at his mother helplessly, who was rubbing his hand as best as she could. She took a breath and slowly almost asked, "Son?"
"Mummy," Ellie tried to nod with as much strength as she could, and she smiled encouragingly. "I'm gay."
As soon as Liam saw his mother's smiling eyes and proud smile, the tears stopped and he held his breath to listen to his mother's quiet but loud words. "Liam, you're the brightest, loveliest thing. I am so proud of you and always have been." The words got slower and much heavier. "When you can, you tell your dad and you tell your sister. Don't be afraid. You are to them what are you to me. And you must never stop living a life full of happiness."
Liam began to cry again and his mother cradled him one last time. "Can you promise me that?"
Liam lifted his head and gulped. "I promise. I promise. For you."
"No," his mother was almost stern but her soft eyes betrayed her. "For you."
Liam closes his eyes and then reopens them, forcing himself back in 2015, and attempts to focus on the essay title ahead of him. University is becoming hectic and stressful, and Liam has found himself to be slipping behind in workload. As it piles up almost before his eyes, his desire to face the world with part of who he is known to anyone who dares to notice becomes quieter.
Ten minutes later, giving up on understanding this essay for a day, Liam gathers his things and rushes to the library door, almost needing to be back home. As he walks through the door, taking no notice of his surroundings, he pushes the door into a guy with an unsealed paper cup, the hot drink pouring all over his legs. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Liam exclaims and the guy stops wincing and puts out a hand to insist he shouldn't apologise. "I shouldn't have been standing right by a door." He uses a napkin to wipe his leg. "Especially by a library door where everyone inside will rush out of in the hope to run away from responsibilities!" Liam laughs and the guy smiles, "The coffee was cold."
"Oh thank goodness. Can I buy you another?"
Liam can tell he would refuse, but then he catches his eyes and for a moment too long, they are staring at each other. Liam is instantly aware of the guy's deep and interesting green eyes and his thick eyelashes. "Why not?"
The guy's smile encourages a funny feeling in Liam's stomach and Liam's eyes divert to the ground, a cheesy smile threatening to take over his whole being. As the two of them begin to walk to the student coffee house on the corner, Liam is aware of the guy's every movement. As they quietly queue and order saying as few words to each other as possible, Liam feels giddy with the knowledge that he is definitely being stared at by this stranger. He is definitely enjoying the attention.
When they walk back out into the surprisingly warm, late September air, Liam feels a wave of confidence at the sight of the coffee in the guy's hands. "So you like it milky with no sugar, for future reference."
The guy nods with a grin. "And for future reference, I'm Kyle."
"Liam," he smiles back.
With another surge of confidence, Liam brings out a pen and nods his head to Kyle's cup. "Can I?" Kyle's seemingly normal easy way falters with a shy smile and he hands over the cup. Liam scrawls his number on the cup and grins, "For future reference."
He turns and begins to walk away, his confidence still there but mixed in with a giggly nervousness he wishes he could explain to his mother as soon as he gets home. He aches, then, for just one more afternoon with his mother and a cup of a tea. If he could have that chance, he would tell her everything.
~
A Chance & A Hope,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Tuesday, 27 October 2015
His Heart
His heart aches at the crystals dancing sadly down her cheeks. His heart breaks at the shake of her head when he says that it's okay; she doesn't need to worry anymore. His heart shouts quietly that she isn't the person she thinks she is; she is everything good and honest and lovely. His heart knows she is everything he could ever want because she is everything that makes his dreams good.
One month earlier
His heart is the most beautiful, precious and gentle heart she has ever come across. She knows she wants to have it paired with her own for ever. She never knew she would feel like that, and she never knew she wanted to.
Now
His heart isn't broken but hers is. She can't see past the mirror she chooses to see and as much as she wants to believe the words he says, and as much as she may believe them sometimes, it doesn't stop the rain that pours in the dark. As much as her heart sings with joy at the memory of his smile, her heart aches at the thought of a long ago yesterday.
The future he sees
He sees countries and photographs; he sees Saturdays with films and Mondays with a happy smile because she is his. He sees everything good and he sees it through her eyes. The future burns in his heart; he knows he won't let the future not be real. It won't be a dream. The future he sees is filled with not just his favourite colours, but hers too.
His heart. And her heart.
~
A less about giving ourselves a break. We're not always as awful as we make ourselves believe.
His & Her Heart,
The Girl in the Moonlight
P.S. HERE is my last post for Blogtober (which you can read about HERE).
One month earlier
His heart is the most beautiful, precious and gentle heart she has ever come across. She knows she wants to have it paired with her own for ever. She never knew she would feel like that, and she never knew she wanted to.
Now
His heart isn't broken but hers is. She can't see past the mirror she chooses to see and as much as she wants to believe the words he says, and as much as she may believe them sometimes, it doesn't stop the rain that pours in the dark. As much as her heart sings with joy at the memory of his smile, her heart aches at the thought of a long ago yesterday.
The future he sees
He sees countries and photographs; he sees Saturdays with films and Mondays with a happy smile because she is his. He sees everything good and he sees it through her eyes. The future burns in his heart; he knows he won't let the future not be real. It won't be a dream. The future he sees is filled with not just his favourite colours, but hers too.
His heart. And her heart.
~
A less about giving ourselves a break. We're not always as awful as we make ourselves believe.
His & Her Heart,
The Girl in the Moonlight
P.S. HERE is my last post for Blogtober (which you can read about HERE).
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
A Commute to Each Life
Ebony pushes her laptop lid down and slumps back in her chair. For two years now she has been doing the Monday commute to London; for one year and eleven months now, she has been hating the Monday commute to London. She’s not too fond of the Friday commute back to her home either, but when it’s Friday, it’s Friday.
Her London friends ask her why she even bothers- move into London, they say. Her friends at home don’t ask. Well, they know why moving to London is not the option.
It isn’t a matter of where she prefers more- London, or home? She loves both.
The rest of the commute drags on by and by the time she’s finished her tube route, Ebony wants to sit down for the rest of the day. Instead, though, she buys a coffee and walks through busy old London, dodging the busy businessmen and excited children.
And it’s only Monday, Ebony thinks as she steps into the reception of her work’s office as if the thought has much more meaning than the four words simply look and sound like.
The day goes surprisingly quickly. Ebony realises this when she is back at the bed and breakfast she stays at, eating a microwave meal way too quickly while she changes into a high-waisted skirt and a flowery top. She slides on her pretty new flats as it’s a surprisingly warm October night and soon she is feeling much more relaxed as she walks along Oxford Street with her best friend and work colleague, Megan.
“I mean, I’ve been excited for tonight all weekend and now he has to go and be like this,” Megan says with a big sigh. Her boyfriend has sent her a list of things she hasn’t tidied or cleared up. A week before she promised she would sort her untidy ways, and still, it seems, nothing has changed. “I didn’t mean to not do the dishes, Eb, I swear.” Ebony laughs and Megan grimaces, knowing she is wrong.
Within ten minutes, Ebony and Megan are giggling their way into a little Italian they are meeting their friends at.
The night is a beautiful one, filled with laughter and friendship and Ebony feels rich in her friends’ company. She loves hearing about Ellie’s new niece and her first smile; she giggles uncontrollably hearing about Richard’s dog leaving unwanted treats every day for the past week in his bedroom; she adores hearing about Louisa and Frank’s wedding plans.
She doesn’t love how lonely she feels as she slides into bed that night after checking in on her mother and remembering how she has to face Charlie the next day at work. Charlie who broke her heart not three months ago. Charlie who doesn’t even know. Charlie who doesn’t even care.
And then in four days, she must commute home to her lovely but very sad mother.
~
I love a short story I can continue another time!
London & Home,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
The New Sun | Part 1
Lily Peters holds her hand out and finds the handrail from memory. She has practiced this walk every day for the past two weeks. She has practiced it in similar clothing and similar high heels. She couldn't wear the actual ones for the day now could she, because she wouldn't want to ruin them, would she? Hell yes she would!
Ella was Lily's best friend. And today, in The New Government's England, Lily is to express their absolute innocence in killing her best friend.
~
I thought Blogtober (which you can read about HERE!) would be an awesome opportunity to kick off a series of stories called The New Sun which I have created. I have been reading a lot of dystopian novels recently and so I wanted to have a crack at creating my own dysopian story!
Blogtober is proving to be very awesome- HERE is yesterday's post!
So the day has arrived. Dressed in a blood red dress that slides almost through her body- making friends with the edge of her skin rather than the dress being the main attraction. The newspapers the next day would explain how she didn't need anything added to her body; that would take everyone's eyes off what that body stood for. And that was exactly what the last two weeks aimed for. An image, created by The New Government, to distract the world from the tragedy of Ella-Grey Masters. Lily's make up is subtle- she would need an innocent layer added to sit well with her provocative outfit- while eyes would stare, ears would trust her voice. Diamonds smile from her ears and her hair's curls lay messily on her chest.
Ella was Lily's best friend. And today, in The New Government's England, Lily is to express their absolute innocence in killing her best friend.
Brilliant. Lily almost laughs but Eddie's warning eyes force her lips back into the innocent and trusting smile she has perfected for the last fourteen days. The New Government will regret forcing Lily to dance under their song for the last couple of weeks; more so they will regret killing Lily's best friend, Harriet Masters' and Oscar Masters' daughter, Jez's sister and the New Sun's mascot.
"Very good, Lily P," Serendipity's lips curl into an approving nod.
"Remember, kid. Don't trip." Lily almost spits on Mr. Holding's shoes. Instead she takes his encouraging smile as ammunition.
"Lily, head up!" One final reminder from Matthew. Lily briefly takes a look at him and his angry expression turns into a soft smile- as if it was her first day at school and he is her loving father. Yeah, okay.
"Very good, Lily P," Serendipity's lips curl into an approving nod.
"Remember, kid. Don't trip." Lily almost spits on Mr. Holding's shoes. Instead she takes his encouraging smile as ammunition.
"Lily, head up!" One final reminder from Matthew. Lily briefly takes a look at him and his angry expression turns into a soft smile- as if it was her first day at school and he is her loving father. Yeah, okay.
What the smiling idiots don't know and Lily Peter most certainly does is this: It's approximately twenty minutes until the New Sun. At least the beginning of the battle to getting the new sun; the moral and happy light. And Lily Peters isn't going to lose this battle for anybody.
~
I thought Blogtober (which you can read about HERE!) would be an awesome opportunity to kick off a series of stories called The New Sun which I have created. I have been reading a lot of dystopian novels recently and so I wanted to have a crack at creating my own dysopian story!
Blogtober is proving to be very awesome- HERE is yesterday's post!
Dystopian Worlds & Real Life Lessons,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Thursday, 1 October 2015
Here Goes Nothing
Trisha opens the oven, feeling excited to do so. With her new oven gloves in hand, she pulls out a baking tray which reveals twelve burnt fairy cakes. "No!" she almost shouts. "No, no, no," she utters impatiently, sliding the tray on the top of the oven, shutting the oven door before turning it off. "No!"
Trisha doesn't recall how long it took for her to stop saying no, as she miserably sits at the kitchen counter and drops a more-than-crispy and definitely-not-fluffy fairy cake into her mouth. She tries to remember what went wrong. Eventually she realises the cakes were in for fifteen minutes too long and she feels as though this is why her best friend Lana is the baker- not her.
If Aimee, her teenage daughter had a similar situation, Trisha would say, "We can all do these things- we just need to try!" However, Trisha's normally positive attitude seems to be gone for the afternoon.
Aimlessly Trisha flicks through a magazine she has no interest in, writes a list she knows she won't complete that day and thinks about what she should cook for dinner that night. While her thoughts are no longer on dinner - she isn't even sure what they are on - Aimee arrives home, flinging her bag on the counter and her coat on the sofa. "Hey mum!" that excited Friday tone has arrived.
"Hello sweetie. How was your day?"
"Good thanks! How has your day off been?"
Trisha laughs and Aimee looks at her confused before turning back to her phone. Knowing Aimee will be playing about on that for a while, Trisha decides she will have a moment of productivity and puts new bedding on the bed. As she buttons up the quilt cover, she giggles at the memory of her husband trying to teach her how to slide a quilt cover onto the quilt. At 21 years old she just didn't know how. Suddenly realising she could now do it with her eyes shut and a Sudoku in her other hand, Trisha perches on the end of her bed.
She's an accountant with clients that mostly have too much money for their own good and co-workers who are simply turning up Monday to Friday for the pay at the end of the month. Her love for her job disappeared a few years ago and she tries to avoid thinking about it too much. Before she stepped into her first accounting interview, she was excited. She knew it wasn't what she wanted to do for another twenty years (Ha! Well that's life, Trisha, ay!? she thinks), but she knew she could be excited for it until she persued a career in her true passion: writing.
Suddenly inspired, Trisha reaches for her bedside cabinet, pulling out a newspaper clipping she cut out with a giggle and a prediction that she wouldn't do anything with it a couple of weeks ago:
SEND US IN A DOCUMENT OF 2,000 WORDS ABOUT YOUR LIFE FOR A CHANCE TO BE A BLOGGER FOR OUR WEBSITE.
As Aimee's friend comes round and they evacuate to her daughter's room, Trisha places a notepad in front of her, next to her favourite pen. Here goes nothing.
~
I think it's time I start taking chances with my writing, like Trisha! How, I'm not completely sure of yet, but a couple of ideas spring to mind.
Fairy Cakes & Opportunities,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I am posting every day in October and you can read about that HERE!
Trisha doesn't recall how long it took for her to stop saying no, as she miserably sits at the kitchen counter and drops a more-than-crispy and definitely-not-fluffy fairy cake into her mouth. She tries to remember what went wrong. Eventually she realises the cakes were in for fifteen minutes too long and she feels as though this is why her best friend Lana is the baker- not her.
If Aimee, her teenage daughter had a similar situation, Trisha would say, "We can all do these things- we just need to try!" However, Trisha's normally positive attitude seems to be gone for the afternoon.
Aimlessly Trisha flicks through a magazine she has no interest in, writes a list she knows she won't complete that day and thinks about what she should cook for dinner that night. While her thoughts are no longer on dinner - she isn't even sure what they are on - Aimee arrives home, flinging her bag on the counter and her coat on the sofa. "Hey mum!" that excited Friday tone has arrived.
"Hello sweetie. How was your day?"
"Good thanks! How has your day off been?"
Trisha laughs and Aimee looks at her confused before turning back to her phone. Knowing Aimee will be playing about on that for a while, Trisha decides she will have a moment of productivity and puts new bedding on the bed. As she buttons up the quilt cover, she giggles at the memory of her husband trying to teach her how to slide a quilt cover onto the quilt. At 21 years old she just didn't know how. Suddenly realising she could now do it with her eyes shut and a Sudoku in her other hand, Trisha perches on the end of her bed.
She's an accountant with clients that mostly have too much money for their own good and co-workers who are simply turning up Monday to Friday for the pay at the end of the month. Her love for her job disappeared a few years ago and she tries to avoid thinking about it too much. Before she stepped into her first accounting interview, she was excited. She knew it wasn't what she wanted to do for another twenty years (Ha! Well that's life, Trisha, ay!? she thinks), but she knew she could be excited for it until she persued a career in her true passion: writing.
Suddenly inspired, Trisha reaches for her bedside cabinet, pulling out a newspaper clipping she cut out with a giggle and a prediction that she wouldn't do anything with it a couple of weeks ago:
SEND US IN A DOCUMENT OF 2,000 WORDS ABOUT YOUR LIFE FOR A CHANCE TO BE A BLOGGER FOR OUR WEBSITE.
As Aimee's friend comes round and they evacuate to her daughter's room, Trisha places a notepad in front of her, next to her favourite pen. Here goes nothing.
~
I think it's time I start taking chances with my writing, like Trisha! How, I'm not completely sure of yet, but a couple of ideas spring to mind.
Fairy Cakes & Opportunities,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I am posting every day in October and you can read about that HERE!
Sunday, 27 September 2015
The Saturday Boy
A Saturday in May
Lottie picks out her outfit: Her rainbow-coloured dress, her dark blue cardigan and her tanned boots. She lets her curly blonde hair down and slips on her outfit, feeling pleased with herself- she loves this dress. She feels a little nervous. She touches her pink cheeks, hoping it will magically cool hem down, but concludes that it's a relatively chilly outside so the walk to work will cool them down. And if she continued to be rosy and nervous after work what with her walk to the shop, she hopes the same principle will apply. She almost eggs on a chilly day.
Here's a little background information.
Almost every day when she was younger (except Sundays- they weren't open on Sundays then), Lottie went into the corner shop to buy sweets- whether it be on a Saturday afternoon or straight after school. She loved the shop. In time (her dentist would be happy to hear) she grew out of the habbit and only went to the corner shop on Saturdays. She went to pick up a treat for her family after she finished her Saturday day. One Saturday she was surprised to see a new face behind the counter.
The face behind the counter? Lottie often heard clusters of girls saying exactly what she would have said if she was their age- and it was always a translation of her actual thoughts into ten year old excited talk. "He's so cute!" they would say. "Did you hear his laugh!?" One time Lottie heard a girl say in dismay, "Why does he never work during the week?" which was exactly Lottie's sentiments one Wednesday after sixth form when she fancied a treat.
And now?
It has been over a year since Lottie first saw the face behind the counter. In her rainbow-coloured dress, she leaves work and feels herself shake her head. She feels silly and somewhat lightheaded. Almost every Saturday she has spent a little longer than she would at any other shop, giggling with the face behind the counter. The face with no name but with bundles of humour and kindness. The face who always seems a little shy, making Lottie a lot more shy than she knew she was. No one did that to her. And today was the day.
She doesn't know what that means exactly but she knew today was different.
The week before, Harriet (the lady who owns the shop) had joked with the face with no name that he "ought to get a girlfriend" and Lottie had overheard. Since then it occurred to her that she adored these chats and giggles every Saturday too much to let that statement make her feel bitter. She wasn't overly ambitious. She wanted a name and she only daydreamed about what may come of it. Okay, she thinks, I'm getting ahead of myself.
As Lottie pushes open the door, she is a little disappointed to see no one behind the counter. Well, not to see him anyway. The disappointment is short-lived. "We ought to stop bumping into each other like this," he grins, making Lottie's heart feel the kind of "melty" feeling they talk about in films. She giggles and he seems a little embarrassed. His smile doesn't vanish though.
The shop is small and as Lottie picks out her family's wishes (a chocolate bar for her brother, a packet of peanuts for her mum and dad and a pack of ice-creams for after dinner), she continues the conversation she would re-live exactly for many days to come. "Or maybe we ought to stop bumping into each other like this without a name to address each other by."
"You know," he says, sparkles in his eyes but a level of shyness that makes Lottie feel gloriously light. "I've been thinking the same thing for too long now."
Lottie perches her elbow on the surface like she always does; her face on her palm. She likes how they talk. It's always how two best friends would talk- nothing more, nothing less. She thinks that's quite a way to talk to someone she doesn't really know. The sparkles behind his eyes lets her know he enjoys it, even if it's not how she does. Her heart momentarily sinks at the thought. Remembering why she's there, she grins at him. "You first."
"Why does that make me nervous?" He laughs. "I'm Oliver."
"O-lir-vah," Lottie pronounces it slowly and laughs. "I've remembered that now. You know I always thought your name was Saturday Boy?"
He laughs. "And what's yours, Saturday Girl?"
"I feel like I should play it a little more mysterious than that."
"We're over a year into this thing. We've surely skipped the mysterious introductions." Lottie momentarily pauses at a loss for words and he realises that she's dwelling on him knowing it's been over a year. He looks down. She likes how he talks to him- so easily and with completely friendliness.
"Lottie." She sounds nervous, but her giggly feeling doesn't disappear. He looks up and smiles at her. A happy quiet evolves but Lottie breaks it. "Shame I'm moving this week."
Oliver looks stunned. "What? I've only just learnt your name!"
Lottie bites her lip, stifling a giggle and Oliver can tell.
"Oh, we have an actress on our hands do we? Shame; I'd have been more pressed to see if you were free this week." As soon as he say it, he looks down again, as if there were no offer in the first place- not even in essence. He scans the items through and Lottie hands him the money, their fingers lingering a little, and feeling much nicer than a normal shop-customer-hand-touch event.
"Then I guess I'll make it pressing. Free this week, Saturday Boy?"
Oliver shakes his head with the best expression on his face- maybe Lottie's favourite expression ever. The expression is solidified by his nod, "Yes, of course."
"Wednesday- five o'clock?"
Lottie scoops the treats into her bag and Oliver laughs, "Yes. That's perfect."
Knowing the meeting was much too short, but also knowing she needs to punch the sky and celebrate like a lame girl in a movie, Lottie grins with no regrets; he mirrors the lame grins back. "See you later Saturday boy."
~
A happy short story for the blog!
Stories & Memories,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Lottie picks out her outfit: Her rainbow-coloured dress, her dark blue cardigan and her tanned boots. She lets her curly blonde hair down and slips on her outfit, feeling pleased with herself- she loves this dress. She feels a little nervous. She touches her pink cheeks, hoping it will magically cool hem down, but concludes that it's a relatively chilly outside so the walk to work will cool them down. And if she continued to be rosy and nervous after work what with her walk to the shop, she hopes the same principle will apply. She almost eggs on a chilly day.
Here's a little background information.
Almost every day when she was younger (except Sundays- they weren't open on Sundays then), Lottie went into the corner shop to buy sweets- whether it be on a Saturday afternoon or straight after school. She loved the shop. In time (her dentist would be happy to hear) she grew out of the habbit and only went to the corner shop on Saturdays. She went to pick up a treat for her family after she finished her Saturday day. One Saturday she was surprised to see a new face behind the counter.
The face behind the counter? Lottie often heard clusters of girls saying exactly what she would have said if she was their age- and it was always a translation of her actual thoughts into ten year old excited talk. "He's so cute!" they would say. "Did you hear his laugh!?" One time Lottie heard a girl say in dismay, "Why does he never work during the week?" which was exactly Lottie's sentiments one Wednesday after sixth form when she fancied a treat.
And now?
It has been over a year since Lottie first saw the face behind the counter. In her rainbow-coloured dress, she leaves work and feels herself shake her head. She feels silly and somewhat lightheaded. Almost every Saturday she has spent a little longer than she would at any other shop, giggling with the face behind the counter. The face with no name but with bundles of humour and kindness. The face who always seems a little shy, making Lottie a lot more shy than she knew she was. No one did that to her. And today was the day.
She doesn't know what that means exactly but she knew today was different.
The week before, Harriet (the lady who owns the shop) had joked with the face with no name that he "ought to get a girlfriend" and Lottie had overheard. Since then it occurred to her that she adored these chats and giggles every Saturday too much to let that statement make her feel bitter. She wasn't overly ambitious. She wanted a name and she only daydreamed about what may come of it. Okay, she thinks, I'm getting ahead of myself.
As Lottie pushes open the door, she is a little disappointed to see no one behind the counter. Well, not to see him anyway. The disappointment is short-lived. "We ought to stop bumping into each other like this," he grins, making Lottie's heart feel the kind of "melty" feeling they talk about in films. She giggles and he seems a little embarrassed. His smile doesn't vanish though.
The shop is small and as Lottie picks out her family's wishes (a chocolate bar for her brother, a packet of peanuts for her mum and dad and a pack of ice-creams for after dinner), she continues the conversation she would re-live exactly for many days to come. "Or maybe we ought to stop bumping into each other like this without a name to address each other by."
"You know," he says, sparkles in his eyes but a level of shyness that makes Lottie feel gloriously light. "I've been thinking the same thing for too long now."
Lottie perches her elbow on the surface like she always does; her face on her palm. She likes how they talk. It's always how two best friends would talk- nothing more, nothing less. She thinks that's quite a way to talk to someone she doesn't really know. The sparkles behind his eyes lets her know he enjoys it, even if it's not how she does. Her heart momentarily sinks at the thought. Remembering why she's there, she grins at him. "You first."
"Why does that make me nervous?" He laughs. "I'm Oliver."
"O-lir-vah," Lottie pronounces it slowly and laughs. "I've remembered that now. You know I always thought your name was Saturday Boy?"
He laughs. "And what's yours, Saturday Girl?"
"I feel like I should play it a little more mysterious than that."
"We're over a year into this thing. We've surely skipped the mysterious introductions." Lottie momentarily pauses at a loss for words and he realises that she's dwelling on him knowing it's been over a year. He looks down. She likes how he talks to him- so easily and with completely friendliness.
"Lottie." She sounds nervous, but her giggly feeling doesn't disappear. He looks up and smiles at her. A happy quiet evolves but Lottie breaks it. "Shame I'm moving this week."
Oliver looks stunned. "What? I've only just learnt your name!"
Lottie bites her lip, stifling a giggle and Oliver can tell.
"Oh, we have an actress on our hands do we? Shame; I'd have been more pressed to see if you were free this week." As soon as he say it, he looks down again, as if there were no offer in the first place- not even in essence. He scans the items through and Lottie hands him the money, their fingers lingering a little, and feeling much nicer than a normal shop-customer-hand-touch event.
"Then I guess I'll make it pressing. Free this week, Saturday Boy?"
Oliver shakes his head with the best expression on his face- maybe Lottie's favourite expression ever. The expression is solidified by his nod, "Yes, of course."
"Wednesday- five o'clock?"
Lottie scoops the treats into her bag and Oliver laughs, "Yes. That's perfect."
Knowing the meeting was much too short, but also knowing she needs to punch the sky and celebrate like a lame girl in a movie, Lottie grins with no regrets; he mirrors the lame grins back. "See you later Saturday boy."
~
A happy short story for the blog!
Stories & Memories,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
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